State of calm in Egypt\'s Tahrir Square on Friday

Egypt\'s iconic square has seen anti-government protests in recent weeks There was a state of calm in Cairo\'s iconic Tahrir Square on Friday, with no sign of demonstrators. It was the first Friday since Egyptians voted for the country\'s new constitution to become law, over a two-round national referendum. While there were reports of protests against the constitution elsewhere, it was relatively quiet in the Square.
Meanwhile, a number of activists have called for celebrating the New Year in front of Tahrir Square, to send a message of peace to the whole world.
In his Friday sermon at the Azhar mosque, Islamic preacher Yousif el-Karadawy called for Egyptian unity. He demanded that those thinking about taking part in a demonstration on January 25, should participate in the national dialogue and accept its consequences. He added that secular and liberal Egyptians cannot be left out.
He urged the Egyptian people to follow Islamic principles and maintain unity, saying the Egyptian must stand together to build their country. He told the Coptic Patriarch Pope Tawadros to encourage fellow Copts to cooperate with their Muslim brothers and build the country.
Political activist Somaya al-Ganainy issued a press statement, in which she called for New Year celebrations in Tahrir Square \"to eradicate the current differences.\" She emphasised that such an event will show Egypt’s national unity, in addition to sending a message of peace to the whole world.
She added that tourism to Egypt strongly increased during the first half of 2012, highlighting that this is a result of a number of political steps, including the success of Egypt’s parliamentary elections, restoration of security and a number of positive initiatives.