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Rallies as Egypt referendum looms
Supporters and opponents of Egypt's president hold last-ditch
rallies over Saturday's draft constitution referendum, with some
clashes breaking out.
14 December 2012
Last updated at 16:01 GMT
President Mohammed Morsi insists the constitution is needed to complete the transition from Hosni Mubarak's rule.
The controversy has sparked unrest across Egypt and fresh clashes have broken out in Alexandria.
'Victory of Islam' As the start of the referendum nears, security is tight, with tens of thousands of police and troops deployed to keep order.
President Morsi has also given the army the power to arrest civilians, raising fears that Egypt is moving back towards military rule.
The violence reportedly broke out after a cleric at a mosque had urged worshippers to vote "Yes".
One pro-constitution rally in Cairo has already drawn 2,000 people, with more gatherings on both sides expected during the day.
Sheik Mohammed Sayyed, who is linked to Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, said during Friday prayers at a mosque in Assuit: "Tomorrow is the day we will seek victory of Islam."
But Amr Hamzawy, a leader of the opposition National Salvation Front, said: "We are confident that the Egyptian people will topple the Muslim Brotherhood's constitution."
Another of its leaders, Hamdeen Sabbahi, said: "The National Salvation Front calls on people to flood into polling stations to say 'No'."
He says it is about the future direction of Egypt - whether it should be an Islamic country or a secular one, a country with its own distinctive Middle Eastern identity or a country more in tune with Western and European values.
The vote on the draft - a densely written document passed by an 85-member constituent assembly composed of mostly Islamists earlier this month - has sharpened the polarisation between liberal groups and the powerful Muslim Brotherhood.
Critics say the wording of the draft would give a green light to Islamic clerics having a say over legislation and civil liberties.
Our correspondent says even if one side or the other wins a clear victory, it is not likely to be the end of a debate that has divided Egypt down the middle.
Polls will open at 08:00 (06:00 GMT) on Saturday in Cairo, Alexandria and eight other provinces. The other half of the country will vote a week later.
Polling had to be spread out because so few judges were willing to supervise the vote.
Clashes flare between the rival camps in the port city of Alexandria
Supporters
and opponents of Egypt's president are staging final rallies ahead of a
referendum on a draft constitution, due to start on Saturday.
Opponents say the draft document has been crafted poorly and without proper consultation, and is too Islamist.President Mohammed Morsi insists the constitution is needed to complete the transition from Hosni Mubarak's rule.
The controversy has sparked unrest across Egypt and fresh clashes have broken out in Alexandria.
'Victory of Islam' As the start of the referendum nears, security is tight, with tens of thousands of police and troops deployed to keep order.
President Morsi has also given the army the power to arrest civilians, raising fears that Egypt is moving back towards military rule.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
Nadia Cairo housewifeI will boycott this referendum... This country doesn't need more division”
The increased security presence has not stopped clashes flaring between the rival camps in the northern port city of Alexandria.
Dozens fought with clubs, stones and other weapons. A number of cars were set alight and several people were injured.The violence reportedly broke out after a cleric at a mosque had urged worshippers to vote "Yes".
One pro-constitution rally in Cairo has already drawn 2,000 people, with more gatherings on both sides expected during the day.
Sheik Mohammed Sayyed, who is linked to Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, said during Friday prayers at a mosque in Assuit: "Tomorrow is the day we will seek victory of Islam."
But Amr Hamzawy, a leader of the opposition National Salvation Front, said: "We are confident that the Egyptian people will topple the Muslim Brotherhood's constitution."
Another of its leaders, Hamdeen Sabbahi, said: "The National Salvation Front calls on people to flood into polling stations to say 'No'."
Continue reading the main story
Constitution at a glance
- Sharia remains the main source of legislation
- Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's leading authority, to be consulted on "matters related to Sharia"
- Christianity and Judaism to be the main source of legislation for Christians and Jews
- Religious freedom to be limited to Muslims, Christians and Jews
- Limits president to two four-year terms of office
A new Egyptian constitution is seen as a major milestone following the revolution that ousted Mubarak in 2011.
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo says the referendum is not just a vote on a few obscure clauses.He says it is about the future direction of Egypt - whether it should be an Islamic country or a secular one, a country with its own distinctive Middle Eastern identity or a country more in tune with Western and European values.
The vote on the draft - a densely written document passed by an 85-member constituent assembly composed of mostly Islamists earlier this month - has sharpened the polarisation between liberal groups and the powerful Muslim Brotherhood.
Critics say the wording of the draft would give a green light to Islamic clerics having a say over legislation and civil liberties.
Our correspondent says even if one side or the other wins a clear victory, it is not likely to be the end of a debate that has divided Egypt down the middle.
Polls will open at 08:00 (06:00 GMT) on Saturday in Cairo, Alexandria and eight other provinces. The other half of the country will vote a week later.
Polling had to be spread out because so few judges were willing to supervise the vote.
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