Millions of Muslims went to pray in the early morning on Sunday in squares and mosques, in the first Eid al-Adha after the 25 January revolution.
The prayers were organized by the Ministry of Religious Endowments, the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafis, some of whom used the occasion to distribute leaflets for their campaigns in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The Muslim Brotherhood proved that it does not separate its preaching function from its political activity, as it hung banners in various parts of Alexandria that carried both its own slogan, "Islam is the Solution," and that of its Freedom and Justice Party, "We Bear Good for Egypt."
Members of the Freedom and Justice Party running in the elections delivered the Friday prayer speech themselves, such Sobhi Saleh, who led the prayer in the Sidi Gaber district.
The speeches concentrated on the religious significance of the Eid, but also addressed Islamic Sharia as the sole source of legislation, supported the rebels of Syria, and praised the revolutions of Egypt, Libya and Tunisia.
The five most prominent Salafi imams were not present, as they are performing the Hajj in Mecca, while Salafi spokesperson Abdel Moneim al-Shahat only concentrated on the religious side in his speech, not addressing politics at all.
Candidates from across the political spectrum, in the meantime, flooded the streets of Cairo and beyond with Eid greetings signs.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
