CAIRO, 17 May 2005 — Some 200 university teachers held a protest inside the Cairo University against the arrest of their colleagues and students in the recent pro-reform demonstrations that called for abolishing the emergency law. The protesters also called for more academic freedom.
The protest, jointly organized by Professors for Change, the Independent Universities Working Group and the Movement of 9 March for the Independence of Universities, was joined by students affiliated with the Kifaya (Enough) movement.
The protesters, some dressed in black robes, carried placards calling for more academic freedom. They said the presence of security forces in and around the campuses had affected the activities of teachers and students.
These demands were echoed by teachers at Mansoura and Assuit universities where some 1,000 called for the release of 10 professors detained last Friday.
A professor at Assiut University, who asked not to be named, told Arab News that three professors were referred to the investigation department for organizing the protest and “disturbing the education process” on the campus a few hours after the demonstration.
Meanwhile, Egypt witnessed its first demonstrations by sheikhs in 50 years in Tanta province north of Cairo yesterday calling on the authorities to change the system of the appointment of the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar.
Some 2,000 demonstrators held banners that read “we want to elect our Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, we do not want him to be appointed by the state.” They also held banners calling for reforms and fair multi-candidate presidential elections.
