(Photo from the Building and Development Party)
The Salafi Da’wa (Salafi Calling) announced it would not take part in Islamist-led demonstrations on Friday 21 June or any other protests during the current climate of polarisation.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the Salafi group said the demonstrations could potentially provoke violence.
The group said it rejected the practice of some Islamists of accusing the opposition of being “infidels” or offenders of treason, stating that such talk would only work to exacerbate the current crisis.
The group, which has been critical of President Mohamed Morsi, said the president had not met any of the constitutional criteria to be removed from office. The statement added that in commitment to the new constitution, the right to peaceful demonstration should be respected.
Salafi Da’wa opposed replacing the constitution, as suggested by some revolutionary groups, as it was voted for by a majority in December. The Islamist group also opposed the removal of articles, especially ones reaffirming Egypt’s “Islamic identity”.
On Tuesday a collective of Islamist groups said it rejected demonstrations against President Mohamed Morsi scheduled for 30 June during a press conference at the headquarters of the Building and Development Party, Al-Jamaa Al-Islamiya’s political wing.
Spokesman for the party Khaled Al-Sherif accused the opposition of attempting to drag the country into violence. The group, which included Al-Wasat Party, the Board of Trustees of the Revolution, and the Freedom and Justice Party, reaffirmed its intention to demonstrate on Friday 21 June in Nasr City under the slogan “no to violence.”
