Hundreds of Egyptians gathered in Tahrir Square Friday in preparation for a demonstration they have dubbed "One Demand." Protesters are demanding Egypt's military rulers hand over power to civilians by April 2012 at the latest.
Protesters staged a march from Omar Makram mosque to Tahrir Square, where they chanted "One, two, where is the handover of power?"
Omar Makram's Sheikh Mazhar Shaheen performed Friday prayers in the square with the protesters.
Thirteen parties and political movements announced their participation in the protest, which presidential hopeful Hazem Abu Ismail and the Facebook page "Second Friday of Anger" called for at the beginning of the week.
The political forces agreed that their one demand would be to open up nominations for the presidential election on 5 April 2012 and hold the election itself in May.
The political parties and movements, including the Salafi Front, Salafi Youth Coalition, April 6 Youth Movement, Union of Revolutionary Youth, Free Front for Change, and Democratic Alliance issued a joint statement demanding power be handed over to an elected civilian president in 2012.
Abu Ismail, along with his supporters, headed to Tahrir after performing Friday prayers at Omar Makram mosque. His supporters set up a stage in front of the Mugamma administrative building, and a smaller stage was erected near the American University in Cairo's downtown campus.
