Several thousand demonstrators backing President Muhammed Mursi gathered in northern port city of Alexandria's Qaed Ibrahim Mosque for Friday prayers to "defend (Islamic) scholars and mosques", and to call for Sharia (Islamic law).
The rally, which was initially peaceful, turned violent when clashes broke out between Islamist demonstrators and rival opposition group. Clashes seem to have been kicked off after opposition protesters picked a fight with one of the Islamist demonstrators, Egyptian media reported.
Security forces, who were heavily deployed early today near the rallying point as a pre-emptive measure against possible violence, worked to restore order and fired rounds of teargas into the crowds.
According to Egyptian newspaper 'Al-Ahram', tens of fire engines and ambulances are also situated in the area.
"The people want the implementation of God's Sharia," the crowds say, "we sacrifice our soul and our blood for Islam."
The protest comes after iconic Alexandria Sheikh Ahmed El-Mahalawy was held captive inside the mosque for 14 hours last Friday by worshippers angered by the overt Islamist rhetoric in his sermon.
El-Mahalawy demanded worshippers seek the implementation of Sharia (Islamic law) ahead of the referendum's first round, which was regarded as a call to vote 'Yes' for the charter. (More)
