I tried to tell you. “Islamist fears permeate Tunisian politics,” by Mona Yahia for Magharebia, May 6: Former Tunisian Interior Minister Farhat Rajhi sparked controversy on Wednesday (May 4th) when he suggested that the nation’s political elite would support a coup d’état if the Islamist Ennahda Movement won the upcoming elections. The comments were made […]
Tunisia facing “potential explosion of a form of Islam that does not seem to be moderate at all”
I tried to tell you. “Tunisia: Country Fears Spread Of Fundamentalism,” from ANSAmed, April 20 (thanks to Insubria): (ANSAmed) – TUNIS, APRIL 20 – Tunisia is fighting a political and ideological battle at the same time, about the State’s secularity. Everybody seems to agree on the issue, at least in words, but there are some […]
“With elections coming up, liberals worry that democracy will bring the Islamists, perhaps the best-organized political movement in post-revolt Tunisia, to power”
I tried to tell you. “Tough transition in Tunisia after ‘Arab spring,’” by Karin Laub for the Associated Press, April 10: TUNIS, Tunisia — In the new Tunisia, a store window in the capital displays books that were banned under the former regime. Protesters shout for jobs or justice almost daily on tree-lined streets. And […]
Tunisia: Muslim women want photos with veil on documents
Might as well have no photo at all, of course, since a photo with a veil on an identity document negates the purpose of the photo itself. But with the interim government having abolished the prohibition on long beards, it may be well disposed to allow this as well, and both will be steps in […]
Tunisia: Hizb ut-Tahrir wants to impose Sharia by “political” means, but does not rule out armed rebellion
Therein lies a source of instability built into Islamic states. Once a state attaches its legitimacy and right to rule to fidelty to Islamic law, it exists in perpetual tension over how much Sharia is “enough.” Two prominent examples are found in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where jihadists’ wrath is directed at insufficiently “Islamic” Islamic states, […]
Hamas top dog: “The people in Egypt and Tunisia have given us back our lives”
Now wait a minute. The head of a jihad terrorist group is exulting over the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia? Doesn’t he know they were popular, secular, and democratic? Does he think they will result in Islamic states? Is Khaled Meshaal some kind of Islamophobe? “Egypt revolt gave us back our lives: Hamas chief,” by […]
Al-Qaeda second banana urges Tunisians, Egyptians to create Islamic states
Probably there will be a transitional period lasting several years in both countries, but there is no significant secular democratic movement in either one. The Islamic supremacists are the most organized opposition force. “Al-Qaida’s No. 2 Urges Tunisians, Egyptians to Create Islamic States,” by Maamoun Youssef for the Associated Press, February 28 (thanks to Weasel […]
Tunisia: Islamic supremacists terrorize prostitutes
Islamic supremacists always claim the moral high ground against the West. Yet a moral calculus that decries prostitution while justifying mass murder and even regarding it as service to the supreme being is, at best, peculiar. It ought to go without saying that one may oppose and deplore prostitution while leaving the molotov cocktails and […]
Tunisia’s new govt grants general amnesty to imprisoned Islamic supremacists
“The opposition and human rights groups have long complained Tunisia’s anti-terror laws were far too broad, targeting anyone with a strict interpretation of Islam.” But no more: they will all be freed and able to work to help create the New Tunisia. “Tunisian grants general amnesty,” by Bouazza ben Bouazza for The Associated Press, February […]
Tunisia: Jihadists murder Catholic priest
“‘These extremists are taking advantage of an exceptional situation to disturb national security and plunge our country into violence,’ the ministry statement said. It did not say what form of extremism it suspected.” Militant Christian fundamentalists, no doubt. “Polish priest killed by Tunisian extremists-media,” from Reuters, February 18 (thanks to David): TUNIS (Reuters) – A […]