CAIRO: Thousands of Egyptians headed to now-iconic Tahrir Square after Friday Prayers today to participate in a minion-man demonstration against sectarian violence. Many also gathered outside Maspiro, the Egyptian television and radio headquarters, where a sit-in by Coptic Christians is entering its sixth day. The demonstrations raised slogans for the national unity and against last weekend's deadly clashes in Cairo's poverty-stricken Imbaba neighborhood. Coptic Christian demonstrators continued their sit-in, calling for revenge against those who incited the violence that left seven Christians and six Muslims dead, over 200 injured and a church in ashes. Both Christian and Muslim demonstrators welcomed the decision to detain Abeer, who is believed to have been the cause of the clashes, for investigation. They chanted slogans such as, “No burning of churches – we refuse terrorism,” “We want a civil state, not religious” and “Coptic means Egyptian.” Another march began from Amr Mosque in Cairo's Heliopolis neighborhood and moved to Tahrir Square. The demonstrators carried signs as well as Saudi and Palestinian flags and condemned Israeli attacks against Palestinians.
