Tens of thousands of Islamists rallied yesterday in support of President Mohamed Mursi's new expanded powers and the drafting of a contested charter, highlighting Egypt's widening polarisation.
The demonstration in the heart of Cairo comes a day after crowds thronged to Tahrir Square to protest against the president's decree and the speedy adoption of the draft constitution.
The charter has taken centre stage in the country's worst political crisis since Mursi's election in June.
It is expected to go to a popular referendum within two weeks.
Members of the constituent assembly were due later yesterday to hand Mursi the final draft of the constitution.
Tens of thousands of pro-Mursi demonstrators, including from the Muslim Brotherhood, on whose ticket Mursi ran for office, and hardline Salafists, packed the wide avenue running in front of Cairo University.
