Tunisian salafist students push for schools reform
The hardline Muslim Salafists, who call for a strict application of Sharia law, have been banned from forming a political party in Tunisia. But ever since Islamist party Ennahda won a majority in the constituent assembly in October, some sectors of society, including schools, have been complaining of pressure by Salafist groups to conform to religious standards. Duration: 01:57
Fears Grow of Islamic Extremism in Tunisia
Tunisian opposition groups continue to blame the assassination of party leader Chokri Belaid on extremist Muslims known as Salafists. They accuse the ruling Ennahda party of encouraging religious violence - a charge the government denies. Henry Ridgwell looks at the growing fear among moderate and secular Tunisians that extremism is on the rise.
Role of Islam divides people in Tunisia
The issue of how much Islam should influence society was the focal point for protesters outside the parliament in building in Tunisia on Saturday.
Both sides of the argument were represented, with secularists facing off against Islamists - many of whom supported Ennahda, the moderate Muslim party most successful in October's elections.
Tunisian schoolgirls rebel against having to wear uniform
In Tunisian high schools, the dress code is only for girls. Boys can wear what they like, and now the girls are up in arms.
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Tunisian President vows to crack down on Muslim extremists
(27 Sep 2012) STORYLINE:
The Tunisian President vowed on Thursday to crackdown on Muslim extremists after they incited crowds to attack the US embassy compound in the capital Tunis.
President Moncef Marzouki's promise, made while in New York, came after months of unrest stirred up by a small but aggressive minority of extremists emboldened since the fall of the country's secular dictator in January last year, which Tunisia's secular-religious coalition has done little to stem.
The extremists, known as Salafis, have put pressure on bars to close, attacked a provocative art exhibition and bullied university campuses to adhere to more conservative ways.
I think the crackdown ... must happen. I don't know when, but we have taken the decision that that this phenomenon must be stopped because it is like a cancer, the more you wait the more it becomes difficult to tackle, said Marzouki.
The former Tunisian exile said he and his leading coalition members, the once-banned Islamist Ennahda party, were reluctant to crack down on Salafis, fearing security forces would commit the type of human rights abuses that were part of the former Tunisian regime of deposed President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
The Islamist party has vowed to protect the rights of women and free worship, while building a robust democracy.
But the party also relies on conservative Muslims for votes, which may explain their reluctance to crack down on the Salafis before elections which are expected in spring.
However the attack last week of several thousand demonstrators on the US embassy compound was the final straw, the president said.
They tore down the US flag and raised one associated with hardline Muslims, while looting and burning buildings. Four demonstrators were killed and dozens injured.
The protest was part of a wave of mostly small, but sometimes violent, demonstrations of hardline Muslims in the Middle East after an amateurish anti-Islamic film was dubbed into Arabic and uploaded to YouTube this month.
The protests have killed dozens of demonstrators and the US ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens.
Salafis are not dangerous for our democracy, but they are also very harmful for our image abroad, and now for the relationship with our friends, mainly with Americans, Marzouki said.
Regarding the country's efforts to write a new constitution, the president said he expected the process would be completed by mid-January, to time with the revolution's second anniversary.
He said he would not allow the word Sharia - understood as Islamic law - to be part of the code, in an effort to preserve Tunisia's broadly secular nature.
Tunisia's efforts to re-write its constitution are widely seen as a testing ground for Islamic influence in the rest of the region.
On Syria, Marzouki said he was proposing to send in Arab League forces into Syria to secure the country when Assad's regime finally falls.
The country is at civil war after mass protests calling for Assad's removal turned violence.
Activists say the 18-month conflict has killed some 30,000 people.
Marzouki said he believed it was only a matter of time before Assad's regime fell.
He said Arab League troops, from Tunisia, Egypt and perhaps the Sudan, could help secure the country once this happened.
The president said he discussed the idea with his Egyptian counterpart, President Mohammed Morsi.
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Tunisia debates Islamic role in constitution
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Tunisians are deciding which political direction to take two years after their uprising began.
As politicians discuss the drafting of a new constitution, there are questions about how much Islamic law it should include.
Al Jazeera's Mike Hanna reports from Tunis.
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Tunisia: secular artists under threat
06/25/2012
Clashes between Islamic hard-liners and secular groups in Tunisia have been on the rise in recent months. Most recently - it's secular artists are under threat for work that Islamic fundamentalists consider blasphemous. France 24 spoke with artists and Islamists in Tunis to learn more.
FRANCE 24 INTERNATIONAL NEWS 24/7
Conservative Muslims clash with secularists in Tunisia
Tunisian police have arrested Islamist activists after they clashed with a group of lawyers outside the capital's main courthouse, as tensions rise over the country's post-revolutionary future.
They were demanding the release of their comrades, arrested during protests over a film some said offended Islam.
Six members of the Salafist movement were arrested after they stormed a cinema and broke its glass doors in a bid to stop the screening of
the film: Neither Allah, nor Master on secularism in Tunisia.
Al Jazeera's Rhodri Davies has more.
Tattoos; growing popularity in Tunisia
There have long been mixed views over getting inked, and in a Muslim country like Tunisia, the controversies are still there. BUT with the a rise in demand for body art, the country has also seen a rise in tattoo artists challenging the status quo.
Reporter: Rana Jawad - Tunis.
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023: Boat Lift Haul Out in Tunisia, Visiting Islamic Schools and Tasting North African Street Food
It was another one of those epic passages with a ripped headsail and near misses with unidentified vessels in the night - a bit disconcerting with reports of refugee boats around the Libyan coast. But it was exciting sailing to a completely new continent even though, once again we limped into port with more broken bits!
Tunisia is a great place to get sailboat work done on a budget and that's the main reason we were heading to Port de Peche - Monastir. The whole boat needed a good fit out. But dodging (party) pirate boats was the easy part compared to dealing with customs, the port police, the Garde-Nationale and port authorities.. particularly as we spoke no Arabic or French.
Our home got hoisted out of the water - much to the kids amazement - and put in the yard! But that was nothing compared to the look on their faces (and ours) when we checked out the boat yard toilets and showers. To save money, we had planned to stay on the boat during the fit out.. but roughing that much was really not an option. Luckily Woody’s Dad -who joined us in Malta – put us up in a local hotel last minute until we could find ourselves an apartment – life saver! We made good use of the pool but schooling always came first, so we set up classroom amongst the sun lounges and did a crash course in French!
While Granddad watched the kids we returned the yard. No-one was supposed to use the jabsco toilets once the boat was out of the water.. but someone had! The boat stank - so our first job was to pump the toilet through into a bucket to clear the pipes. Yachting is not all about having G and T's on deck!
Amel Super Maramu purists will be horrified to learn that we also painted the tiles in the galley which got us thinking about the cushions and curtains too. Tunisia offered a great opportunity for a total refurbishment - watch this space!
Tunisia was very different to what we're used to. There's are sharp contrasts between areas that are really grand and well-kept and other that seem totally neglected with rubbish/trash everywhere. Our policy of picking up three bits of plastic every time we're out seemed meaningless faced with such overwhelming plastic pollution.
We spent a day on the beach, swimming, drinking mint tea and making sandcastles. We were particularly fascinated by the women wearing burkinis in the sea. Is Tunisia safe after the 2015 Tunisian terrorist attacks on the beach? Well, there were plenty of security guards around (on the beach and around the hotels) We spent a lot of time in non-tourist areas and felt totally safe, although the kids' blonde hair drew some attention!
We arrived in Tunisia as Ramadan was coming to an end and the festival of Eid was beginning and this made us curious about Muslim culture and Islam. We wangled an invite to a local school where Tunisian kids learn about the Qur'an. We learned a little about Arabic writing and pronunciation and even had a personal reading of the Surahs. It was a really educational afternoon and the kids even shot a few hoops in the playground afterwards!
Granddad finally flew home and we found a cheap apartment overlooking Monastir Marina - a little further east from Port de Peche. As the days turned to weeks we fell into a traditional routine - Woody went off to the port every day and I was the stay-at-home mum. The children adopted the local stray cats and homeschooling carried on.
The accommodation wasn't great but it had a great view over the marina. The kitchen had to be re-arranged for cooking because the electric wiring was a bit.. shocking. Apart from the odd pizza we mainly cooked at home trying local Tunisian recipes like harissa, tagine and libanaise, washed down with the local beer - Celtia (Mum and Dad obviously). The electric tripping out became a regular feature of cooking, which all added to the experience!
More about our adventures in Tunisia in the next blog..
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Politician blames Tunisia extremism on education system
The recent killing of the suspect behind the Berlin attack has sparked furious discussions Tunisia. Anis Amri's actions have been termed by some as a war, not against Germany, but his home country Tunisia. The 24-year-old's fingerprints and wallet were found in a truck that plowed into a Christmas market in Berlin last Monday night, killing 12 people and injuring 56 others. Tunisian authorities have since arrested three men linked to the perpetrator of the terrorist attack. In a statement, one of the major politicians put the blame for the number of Tunisian extremists abroad on Tunisia's education system, saying they were deluded and did not understand Islam
RR0234/C Tunisia: Women
SHOTLIST
Tunis, Sidi Bou Said and Carthage, Tunisia (recent - April 2002):
Tunis: top view of tram moving; sign 'Banque de Tunisie'; Tunisian flag; various interiors of empty mosque; Sidi Bou Said: elderly woman walking down the street in white traditional clothes; elderly woman; Tunis: two young women in tight clothes Sidi Bou Said: various of tourists; Tunis: various of market; elderly woman wearing a Safsari; Carthage: still photographs of Hager on wedding day; Hager French sot; Tunis: former divorcee Monia Skhiri Gabsi and second husband Jaouher Gabsi at home with shopping bags; Monia, sot in French; exterior ONFP or National Family and Population Board building; Redha Bouslema, ONFP Co-ordinator in office; documents on table; Redha at desk; still photographs of ONFP rural nurse Souad; Redha French sot; various of Monia Skhiri Gabsi and baby at home; Jaouher Gabsi French sot; Monia French sot; various of pupils walking back to school; boy and girl kissing on cheeks; middle aged sisters Nour Tlemceni Chaouachi and Turkia Tlemceni walking inside house; Koran; Nour French sot; Koran; various of Nour praying at home; group of women weaving carpets; various of shop owner Rafik displaying carpets; woman police officer in street; Turkia driving; traffic; Turkia French sot; various of people sitting outside cafe at night; tram passing hotel at night (APTN)
STORYLINE
Islam is not only one of the world's main religions, but also one of the least understood. That's partly because, as with other faiths, its adherents often place different interpretations on its meaning. One of the most visible differences between Islamic communities is their treatment of women. Tunisia is a Muslim country where women are more liberated than most, indicating that the recent oppression of women in Afghanistan, for example, is more to do with male domination than religion.
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Hardline cleric holed up in mosque in central Tunis
(17 Sep 2012)
1. Mid pan of members of a Salafist mosque in downtown Tunis rallying inside El Fateh mosque compound in support of their iman, Abu Yadh, who was said to be holed up inside
2. Various of men chanting slogans
3. Wide tilt down mosque exterior
4. Salafists with black Islamist flag
5. Hand waving copy of Koran
6. Mid of demonstrators, some masked
7. Cameramen
8. Masked Salafists
9. Policeman urging crowds outside mosque to disperse
10. Various of police presence at nearby traffic intersection three hundred yards away
11. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Arbi Ben Ammar, Tunis resident, voxpop:
The Salafist movement emanates from Tunisian society, so it's essential that we deal with them in a non-violent way. That's the only way. Otherwise it will become violent between the Salafi movement and the Tunisian people and that is in no one's interests.
12. Mid of pedestrians
STORYLINE:
A hardline Muslim cleric who urged Tunisians to protest against the US Embassy is holed up at one of the capital's main mosques, with police surrounding the area.
An Associated Press reporter says the Salafi, known as Abu Yadh, retreated inside the El Fateh mosque in Tunis with dozens of supporters on Monday afternoon after a fiery denunciation of the Tunisian government.
A heavy police presence could be seen in nearby streets but police did not force their way into the mosque.
Abou Yadh's supporters chanted Islamic slogans along with Obama, we are all Osama! on the front steps of the mosque, waving their black militant Islamic flag before asking media to leave.
On Friday, several thousand demonstrators angry over a film that insults the Prophet Muhammad stormed the compound in Tunis.
They tore down the American flag and raised an Islamic one, while looting and burning buildings. Four demonstrators died.
Abu Yadh blamed the government for the violent protest, saying he had called for a peaceful demonstration
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Women Liberation Struggle in Tunisia
Women in Tunis are among many in the world that face sexism and harassment in the society. But now, a director has come up with a film she hopes will spark a debate over the freedom of women in the country. The Tunisian satirical movie premiers at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival which kicked off on Wednesday. It is the first to be shown in the Cannes Independent Cinema Broadcasting Association selection.
Sufis targetted by Tunisian Salafi extremists
In the small town of Menzel Bouzelfa, the mausoleum has become a target of the Salafi movement. Other places of worship of Sufism, an ancient Islamic doctrine, have seen a rise in attacks by extremists in Tunisia.Duration: 01:51
Tunisians preach tolerance as Muslims, Jews join Christian celebration
*Manifesting a rare exhibition of religious solidarity, dozens of Muslims and Jews gathered in a port area at the Tunisian capital to witness the revival of The Madonna of Trapani, a Catholic tradition introduced to Tunis a century ago.*
The statue of the Madonna of Trapani was presented to Tunisians of all religions in celebration of the mid-August feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, on Wednesday.
As scores of Muslim residents and Jews of French origin who were born in Tunisia gathered o…
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Tunisia lifts ban on Muslim women marrying Non-muslims
Tunisian President had called for the government to lift the ban dating back to 1973. President Beji Caid Essebsi argued that the practice violates the Tunisian constitution.
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Kyrgyzstan to regulate religious schools
Kyrgyzstan wants to change the way religious schools operate.
It plans to introduce laws to regulate studies, in an effort to increase state control over religious schools.
But, some say the move does not cater to the majority-Muslim population.
Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel Hamid reports from Bishkek.
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Jewish and Democratic/Democratic and Muslim: Israel and Tunisia in Perspective
A Conversation on “Jewish and Democratic/Democratic and Muslim: Israel and Tunisia in Perspective” featuring Ruth Gavison, Haim H. Cohn Professor emerita of Human Rights at the Faculty of Law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Malika Zeghal, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Professor of Contemporary Islamic Thought and Life at Harvard University, took place at Harvard Law School on Nov. 8. The discussion was part of the inaugural conference for the Julis-Rabinowitz Program on Jewish and Israeli Law at HLS. Noah Feldman, Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law at Harvard Law School and Director of The Julis-Rabinowitz Program in Jewish and Israeli Law at Harvard Law School, moderated the discussion.
Tunisian high school teachers march for better pay, conditions
Thousands of senior high school teachers on the streets of Tunis on Wednesday to demand better pay and conditions at a time when the government is reeling under pressure from international donors to cut spending.
From various provinces of Tunisia, the teachers gathered in front of the education ministry chanting '' no to the humiliation of teachers' and ' the people want fiscal justice'.
They called for the resignation of sector minister, Hatem Ben Salem, whom they blamed for stalled negotiati…
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Africanews is the first pan-African multilingual media outlet, unique in its concept and vision.
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