As Twitchy reported earlier, thousands of Mohamed Morsi supporters took to the streets in front of Cairo University today in what’s being called the “Million Muslim March” to show support for the new president. The rally culminated in Morsi’s call for a nationwide referendum Dec. 15 on the country’s newly drafted constitution.
#BreakingNews Egypt's Morsi calls Dec. 15 referendum on constitution http://t.co/iFH3Gwqo
— Israel News (@IsraelNewsNow) December 1, 2012
Though those on the ground were reported to be chanting “Rule belongs to Allah alone,” a scan of the Muslim Brotherhood’s tweets gives a very Western impression of the proposed constitution and praises the limits on the president’s power — a week after Morsi granted himself dictatorial powers and inspired an ongoing protest in Tahrir Square.
#Morsi: the Egyptian people are determined to fulfill the goals of the blessed #Jan25 revolution
— Ikhwanweb (@Ikhwanweb) December 1, 2012
#morsi: Constitution limits the power of the president and makes the people the source of all sovereignty
— Ikhwanweb (@Ikhwanweb) December 1, 2012
The Muslim Brotherhood, via its official English-language Twitter feed, is also publicizing several articles highlighting the democratic basis of the constitution.
Article 34: individual freedom is a natural right, safeguarded and inviolable
— Ikhwanweb (@Ikhwanweb) December 1, 2012
Article 80: any encroachment on any of rites & freedoms guaranteed by Con shall b considered a crime…state shall grant fair compensation
— Ikhwanweb (@Ikhwanweb) December 1, 2012
Article 81: rights & freedoms pertaining to the individual citizen shall not be subject to disruption or detraction
— Ikhwanweb (@Ikhwanweb) December 1, 2012
Morsi’s critics, though, are posting those sections of the proposed constitution that are more worrisome to the West.
https://twitter.com/Sarahngb/status/274982548667506688
https://twitter.com/Sarahngb/status/274969221522415617
https://twitter.com/Sarahngb/status/274969601538916352
https://twitter.com/Sarahngb/status/274975535887687681
https://twitter.com/Sarahngb/status/274973748493418496
https://twitter.com/MsIntervention/status/274981346663858177
President #Morsi has torn #Egypt apart, made it two countries, two people, inside one border. May history remember his deeds. Well done.
— Omar Kamel (@OmarKamel) December 1, 2012
Do side-by-side aerial photos of the anti-Morsi protest in Tahrir Square and the Muslim Brotherhood’s march suggest that the constitution might not survive the Dec. 15 referendum?
Protestors against decree. Those for decree below. This should give hope for a defeat of referendum. #Morsi #Egypt pic.twitter.com/pp9IX1cq
— Nermien Riad (@NermienRiad) December 1, 2012
In fact, several observers noted that the large group of Morsi supporters dissipated very quickly once the announcement of a vote had been made, leaving opponents to ponder the nation’s precarious situation.
https://twitter.com/blibrahim/status/274982693823971328
Cairo university is now empty while #tahrir still full why isn't @aljazeera @CNN @AlArabiya reporting this #Egypt #tahrir #Morsi. All r dogs
— MM (@MinaShaq) December 1, 2012
https://twitter.com/Redha_ph/status/274982375228862465
#Morsi calls for referendum on his #Ikhwan #constitution. It means he ignored 25 Jan #Egypt's revolution's demands and chose the civil war!.
— Magdy S. AboSalem (@Magdy_AboSalem) December 1, 2012
pic.twitter.com/Tikuf1FN #MB flag not #egypt flag. the picture speaks for itself . #morsi #ikhwan #egypt
— Mohammed Soliman (@soliman91) December 1, 2012
@SherifMorris Constitution referendum on the 15th of December. What constitution? It's a piece of dirty dog shit.
— Boقtor (@petermboktor) December 1, 2012
Rejoice #Morsi , you managed to alienate more than half of your population in record time. Good luck enjoying your "victory"
— Amani Massoud (@amassouda) December 1, 2012
That awkward moment when thinking about #Morsi freaks you out more than the thought of the world ending in #2012
— ……. (@Arawyy) December 1, 2012
https://twitter.com/hahellyer/status/274965748009545729
In a nutshell, #Morsi held #Egypt hostage until he reached the results he wanted. Dec15 referendum is just a formality.
— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) December 1, 2012
In deep depression with what's happening in the country. Muslims brotherhood are truly terrorists. #Morsi
— FreshlyBakedGoodiez (@SuperDNovaaaa) December 1, 2012
Anyone else feeling the Iran 1979 vibe as #Morsi grabs power in the name of God? #Egypt
— Eva Sajoo (@esajoo) December 1, 2012
#morsi just pulled the plug at the barely visible, feeble, dying candle light at the end of the long, narrow, claustrophobic tunnel
— MG (@MO_G_) December 1, 2012
Amid the propaganda, the Muslim Brotherhood did find the time to respond to one critic.
Is that the kind of "dialogue" we shld ve when future of our country is at stake?! RT@hana_elhattab: Lol @ikhwanweb really need to get laid”
— Ikhwanweb (@Ikhwanweb) December 1, 2012
Join the conversation as a VIP Member