Islamists March Past Church

Salafis on the March: As Mike and I were leaving St. Andrew's Church after Bible study (Nov.2, about 1:15 PM), the large metal gates to the grounds had to be closed, since Salafis carrying flags and chanting slogans were marching past just outside on the 26th of July Street on their way to Tahrir Square. They were shouting: “The people demand the application of God’s law,” and “Islam is the solution.” The protest was organised by several Salafi Islamist groups. The debate is primarily centered on the controversial Article 2 of the draft constitution, which states that Islam is the state religion and the principles of Islamic Shari’a are the main source of legislation. Islamists demand the article be amended and the word “principles” be replaced with “rulings” or removed altogether to allow for a stricter interpretation of the text. Although Islamists dominate the Constituent Assembly, the largest represented group is the Muslim Brotherhood, which joins secular groups in that it wants to leave the article as is. Protests in Tahrir highlight divisions in society as rival factions jostle to shape the new Egypt.

Cairo's Black Cloud: The sky has been especially gray in Cairo today–probably from the burning of rice stubble. After the rice harvest each autumn, the "black cloud", a thick layer of smog from burning rice straw spreads across Cairo and the Nile valley for several weeks. This burning produces a pall of smoke that turns the capital's already noxious air into an even more toxic mix. I can certainly see it today.