CAIRO — Egyptian Islamists are planning a mass protest on Friday in Alexandria in a move likely to raise tensions on the eve of a divisive referendum that will determine the political future of the Arab world's biggest nation.
The Muslim Brotherhood called for the rally after a violent confrontation between Islamists and the liberal, secular opposition in Egypt's second city last week ended with a Muslim preacher besieged inside his mosque for 14 hours. Rival factions were armed with clubs, knives and swords.
The run-up to the referendum on a new draft constitution has been marked by often violent protests in which at least eight people have died.
The constitution is backed by President Mohamed Morsy and his Islamist allies as a vital step in Egypt's transition to democracy after the fall of Hosni Mubarak.
The opposition, facing defeat in the referendum, has called for a “no” vote against a document it views as leaning too far toward Islam.
The first day of voting on Dec. 15 resulted in a 57 percent majority in favor of the constitution. The second stage on Saturday is expected to produce another “yes” vote as it covers regions seen as more conservative and likely to back Morsy. The National Salvation Front, the main opposition coalition, said a “no” vote meant taking a stand against attempts by the Muslim Brotherhood, Morsy's political base.
