Tunisia’s Close Call

Hearts and Minds

Recent demonstrations by salafists in Tunisia have taken a violent turn highlighting lingering issues in the country: the importance of creating a mechanism of dialogue between the different religious and political factions in the country. Though Tunisia is widely considered one of the most liberal countries in the Arab World, conservative forces have, since the revolution, become increasingly powerful. Differing interpretations of what Tunisian values are have led to spikes in violence, and the current government has been reluctant to take a strong stance on the matter. The potential cost of allowing disagreement to foment is great, as instability could continue to increase, hindering the social and economic well-being of the country further.

Ennahdha Party supporters protest against Tunisia’s former Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi’s launch of his ‘call of Tunisia’ in Tunis on June 16, 2012.

For those who lived in Tunisia during its revolutionary days, last week was a déjà vu. Violent protests led to injuries and one fatality, curfews were put in place, and a general malaise pervaded throughout the country.

The curfew had been imposed earlier in the week following violent riots by Salafist groups over an art exhibition that was deemed insulting to Islam. Concerns increased when the moderate Islamist leader, Ghannouchi, called on those who supported the values of the revolution and of Islam to protest following Friday’s prayers. Additional conflict was avoided at the last minute, as the Ministry of the Interior refused to issues licenses to the protests organizers. Fortunately, everyone’s worst fears were avoided, but it was certainly a close call.

Tensions between conservative Islamists and more liberal factions within the country have been on the rise since the revolution took place. Under the previous regime, Islamist parties as well as conservative behaviors were either explicitly or implicitly prohibited. Women were not allowed to wear the veil in public and it was rumored that security forces persecuted individuals who participated in the early morning prayers. Tunisia’s democratic wave changed these restrictions. Symbolically, Ennahda, the moderate Islamist party, won the majority of the votes in last year’s election.

Though democracy has supported freedom of religion in the country, it has also raised an important issue that Tunisians will have to address if they are to guarantee the return of long-term stability to their country. Tunisia is now a country split along religious lines— between those who espouse a more conservative view of how Islam should be practiced and the impact it should have on society, and those who have kept the more liberal perspective upheld by the previous government.

The beauty of participatory governments and civil rights is that no one should have to be forced to choose one of the two options. Yet as the protests demonstrated, in order for peace to be maintained leaders of opposing views must come together to discuss and agree as to how they will co-exist in the country.

The government should continue to uphold the values of religious freedom. However, it should ensure that it is also creating the necessary conditions for dialogue to take place. By ensuring that the rule of law is respected, the government will send a clear message to both sides that religious freedom will be upheld. Violence should not be tolerated, lest a culture of intimidation replace the nascent democratic values of the new Tunisia.

Paula Mejia

Paula Mejia is a contributing writer for The Majalla. As a freelance journalist and former consultant for the African Development Bank, her work has focused on the economic and social challenges in Africa, with a special focus on Egypt, Tunisia and Libya. She is a graduate of the London School of Economics, L’Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Science Po) and the University of Chicago.