WORLD
Mursi agreed on Saturday night to drop a constitutional decree giving himself powers beyond judicial scrutiny, but replaced it with a new one that insisted that the referendum would go ahead despite calls for a delay.
Egypt's opposition rejected an offer of compromise by President Mohammed Mursi to end the country's crisis over a new constitution on Sunday, and called for mass street protests on Monday.
A fresh rally was under way around the presidential palace on Sunday night as leaders of the liberal and secular opposition to Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood set up a final showdown before Saturday's referendum on the constitution.
The Islamists said they would hold a rival demonstration on Tuesday, throwing up the potential for clashes. Mursi agreed on Saturday night to drop a constitutional decree giving himself powers beyond judicial scrutiny, but replaced it with a new one that insisted that the referendum would go ahead despite calls for a delay.
A moderate Islamist politician involved in talks with the Brotherhood said there would be an opportunity later to revise controversial articles of the draft constitution, which the opposition says does not guarantee basic rights.
Opposition groups refused to back down and held a press conference to denounce the referendum and Mursi's repeated decrees. "We do not recognise the draft constitution because it does not represent the Egyptian people," said a statement by the opposition coalition National Salvation Front, adding that, "We reject the referendum which will certainly lead to more division and sedition."
The April 6 Movement, a Left-wing group that was behind the revolution against Hosni Mubarak, called the compromise "a continuation of deception in the name of law and legitimacy". The Brotherhood is confident it has enough support to win the referendum, which will be decided on a straight majority. It believes that the liberals represent a minority view, and that most Egyptians are happy to see the emphasis on Islam that runs through parts of the draft.
"The seculars and liberals are mobilising people to bring down the Islamic state," said Mohammed Bishawi, a long-standing Muslim Brotherhood member, at a counter-rally at the organisation's headquarters on the outskirts of Cairo.
The building was ransacked by an angry mob on Thursday night, as were other Brotherhood-linked offices around the country, and the organisation was staging a symbolic demonstration to protect it.
Bishawi claimed that the wave of opposition to Mursi in the past two weeks, since he announced his new powers, was "manufactured by the media". "We, the Islamic powers, chosen by democratic election, want to prove to the world that the Egyptian people are with president Mursi and their new constitution," he said. "The liberals don't have any real existence on the street."
Both sides are involved in a high-stakes gamble. The opposition risks making itself look irrelevant if the constitution is passed by a large majority. But if the Brotherhood loses the referendum or has a cripplingly low turnout, it will be a damaging blow to its assumption that political Islam is the dominant voice of Egyptian society.
Defeat would also suggest the public accepted the opposition view that the Brotherhood is showing increasingly authoritarian tendencies. The prosecution service yesterday referred to investigators a Brotherhood claim that opposition leaders, judges and journalists were conspiring to overthrow the government.
If there is a "no" vote in the referendum, a new 100-member constitutional assembly will have to be elected within three months, a new constitution agreed within six months and put to a referendum within a month after that. Only after that can there be new parliamentary elections, by which time the Brotherhood may have lost the popularity it had when it won elections convincingly earlier in the year.
Delhi becomes world's most polluted city, overtakes Pakistan's Lahore, AQI recorded at...
Last Supermoon of 2024: Know when and how to watch it and other details here
Noida man arrested for creating ‘cannabis nursery’ inside house after being inspired by…
Actor John Krasinski named 'Sexiest Man Alive 2024' by People magazine
Meet outsider who worked in bank for eight years, became OTT star, will now star opposite Kajol in..
What is wedding invitation scam, how to protect yourself from it?
Arjun Tendulkar achieves rare feat which father Sachin Tendulkar never did in his 25-year career
Mukesh Ambani suffers Rs 12548 crore loss after buying Star from Disney, here's how
Ananya Panday sets Instagram on fire in sizzling bikini; BFF Suhana Khan, mom Bhavana Pandey react
International Trade Fair 2024 in Delhi from Nov 14: Know ticket price, timings, venue and more
SA vs IND: Varun Chakravarthy eyes Ravichandran Ashwin's all-time India record in T20Is
This govt company sold Rs 28880000000 shares of Ratan Tata firm, reduces its holding to...
Delhi Air Pollution: AQI hits 'Severe' category, record high in India today with 418
Tesla CEO Elon Musk spreading misinformation on X? His own AI model says...
Independent candidate slaps SDM outside booth during Rajasthan bypolls, watch video here
Viral video: Vistara crew bids emotional farewell on last flight before merger with Air India, watch
NBR Group Redefines Luxury Living With New Brand Identity, Tagline, and Logo
Resham Kamboj: Empowering Souls and Financial Freedom Through Spiritual Mentorship
NTPC Green Energy Rs 10000 crore IPO: Check subscription date, price band, lot size and more
India’s first hydrogen train to start trials soon: Check route, features, top speed to be…
Tejasvi Jaiswal's selfless sacrifice for brother Yashasvi Jaiswal rewarded with life's greatest gift
Mukesh Ambani, Isha Ambani to shut down these outlets under Reliance Retail due to...
Watch viral video: This MP stole Bill and ran away with intention to...
US comedian's hilarious imitation of Donald Trump goes viral, watch video here
Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024: CSK legend MS Dhoni and wife Sakshi cast vote in Ranchi - Watch
LoP Rahul Gandhi rides Kerala's longest zipline in Wayanad to boost tourism after landslides; watch
Nita Ambani stuns in floral ensemble as she poses with Anupam Kher at NMACC
Anil Ambani's company makes HUGE profit in 3 months, market cap now reaches Rs...
Is Space Travel Safe: Surprising ways Space affects human body
Aishwarya Rai and Katrina Kaif lost this blockbuster franchise of Rs 600 crore, were replaced by...
'Can't believe...': Woman dresses up as ghost in viral video, here's what happened next, WATCH
HURRY UP! Coldplay announces fourth show in Ahmedabad, tickets to go on sale from...
Chhath Puja turns scary! Venomous snake turns towards woman performing rituals, then…
Meet man who left college at 18, earned Rs 1200 crore at 20, is CEO now, has net worth of Rs...
Radhika Merchant changes name, shares thoughts on work and marriage
Renewable Energy: Power generation expert Shahroz Anjum leads way in solar optimisation
Meet man, Indian-origin VP, who uses vacations to determine if he's hired right people, he is...
Ricky Ponting hits back at Gautam Gambhir's 'minding own business' advice, says, 'He is…'
Decision between renting and owning: Krupa Goel's perspective on what's shaping choices today
SC pronounces verdict on 'bulldozer justice': 'Having a home is a longing that never fades...'
Archbishop of Canterbury resigns over Church of England sex abuse scandal
Why world's most valuable company Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang doesn’t wear a watch, know here
Renowned Yoga guru Sharath Jois passes away at 53
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024: Know date, time and significance of festival
DSP tracks down vegetable vendor after 14 years, reason will leave you surprised
Chennai Rain Alert: Heavy showers expected today, IMD issues warning to 11 districts
Ankur Warikoo shares details about his annual salary, reveals he earns Rs...