Thousands of Egyptians began to flock to Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday to celebrate last week's ousting of President Hosni Mubarak, who ruled Egypt for 30 years. Prominent Islamist scholar Youssef Al-Qaradawi is expected to deliver Friday's sermon in the square. Activists of the 25 January revolution had called for a protest to celebrate Mubarak's stepping down and to pressure the Supreme Armed Forces Council, which currently rules Egypt, to remove Ahmed Shafiq's government. The coalition of “January 25 youth” said that it is demanding the release of political prisoners, the abolition of the emergency law, the punishment of those who killed protesters, and the establishment of new civil rights. In addition, the representatives of various groups that participated in the revolution are calling on the Supreme Armed Forces Council to establish a presidential council that includes civilians. Protesters are also demanding the prosecution of what they describe as “thieves” and “corrupt” officials and the return of stolen funds. The groups say that the revolution is still alive and that it is at its peak. They assert that the revolution will not end until all demands are met and a democratic system is initiated.
