Egypt's largest opposition movement, the Muslim Brotherhood, called on Wednesday for a boycott of March 26's national referendum over 34 constitutional amendments.
"We will boycott the referendum and we call on the citizens to boycott it as well," said movement spokesman Issam al-Aryan, according to AFP.
Earlier this week, the parliament overwhelmingly approved amendments to 34 articles of the constitution which they claim will boost democracy and fight terrorism, while the opposition argues it will just strengthen the regime's grip on power.
Some 500 Brotherhood students marched through Cairo University on Wednesday in a mock funeral protesting against the adoption of the amendments. "The amendments equal the death of Egypt, that's why we reject them," said the slogan written across the black coffin borne at the front of the long procession as it wound its way through the campus. "The amendments mean unemployment, corruption, and hereditary succession," said another banner.
The protestors also said the amendments were unIslamic because they separated religion from government by banning the formation of faith-based political parties.
