Cairo ( CNN ) -- A few hundred protesters gathered Friday in Cairo 's Tahrir Square , calling for a civil state and an end to military rule . The rally began after iftar , the evening meal that marks the breaking of the fast during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan , and was organized by Egyptian activists , political groups and a few of the country 's Sufi orders . It was a protest meant not only to highlight the importance of unity , but also to contrast the message of a massive demonstration that took place in the same location in late July -- one that had brought out tens of thousands of Islamists demanding the implementation of Islamic law in Egypt . During Friday 's rally , many participants chanted slogans such as , `` No terrorism , no sectarianism , Egypt is a civil state , '' `` Peaceful , peaceful '' , and `` Down with military rule . '' Egyptian Sufi leader Alaa Eddin Abu el-Azayem , who addressed the crowd later in the evening , told his audience , `` An Egyptian civil state is the only choice for Egypt . '' Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam . Brief clashes broke out earlier between protesters and security forces -- at one point both sides were throwing rocks and bottles at one another . Calm was restored a few moments later . Last Friday , a non-violent protest in Tahrir Square quickly turned chaotic , as the demonstrators were chased by military through surrounding streets .
Friday 's protest was meant to contrast one in late July . Then , demonstrators demanded implementation of Islamic law in Egypt . Protesters Friday changed `` Egypt is a civil state '' and `` Down with military rule ''