Egypt's now-banned Muslin Brotherhood group on Saturday set up several spaces for Eid prayers outside mosques in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, despite a sustained government crackdown on the Islamist group.The first day of the four-day Eid Al-Adha festival sees Muslims gather in mosques to perform the communal Eid prayer.
Posters bearing the Brotherhood's logo and wishing locals a happy Eid could be seen in eastern and western parts of the coastal city, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported.
The group has faced a sustained state crackdown following last year's ouster of president Mohamed Morsi, who hailed from the Brotherhood. The group was ruled a terrorist organisation by authorities late last year.
In recent months Egypt's government has tightened its grip on mosques, with officials saying they aim to stop mosques from falling "into the hands of extremists and the unqualified."
Only state-approved clerics are now allowed to give sermons, in an attempt to curb the influence of Islamist preachers.
Elsewhere in Alexandria, police on Saturday used teargas to quell clashes that broke out between Islamists and local opponents during an anti-government march, Al-Ahram Arabic news website said.
Several have been injured in the fighting that erupted in the eastern Mahatet al-Raml district.
