Tunisian government strives to root out Islamist influence from Mosques

By Kaci Racelma (Algiers, Algeria)
4/6/2014 (3 years ago)
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Tunisian authorities, along with the Islamist party Ennahda had clashed on several levels for any months. The conflict was felt on all strata of Tunisian society. Violence roiled in the streets, to the universities, in places of worship and private homes. Tunisia's draft constitution, submitted June 1, 2013 by the National Constituent Assembly (ANC) arrived to end the confusion as it established the main points of the future political system.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Many Tunisians today feel that much remains to be done to stabilize their nation. To this end, the Tunisian government is striving to root out the Islamic influence from local Mosques and all places of worship.

The harsh rhetoric that incited the masses against authorities is hopefully a thing of the past. Authorities are trying to "take control" of Tunisian mosques throughout the country by resorting to the revocation and removal of some imams associated with extremist factions.

Pray for peace in North Africa.

The high leaders state that places of worship "do not become hotbeds of intimidation and propaganda for tough terrorist or forums where people are accused of apostasy.

The radical Islamist jihadist Salafist movement that arose after Tunisia's "Jasmine Revolution" - which led to the vaunted "Arab spring," are now isolated with imams that previously preached hatred and discord being since dismissed.

Opposition political parties joined their voice to the policy adopted by the government. They have accused extremist groups of promoting a fundamentalist religious discourse inconsistent with Tunisian society. Tolerance of others here is part of traditional, ancestral values.

Tunisia's intelligentsia can't accept that their country, the founder of the Arab Spring in a short period of time becoming a nation that produces terrorists. "When people revolted during Jasmine revolution, it was because they wanted to oust the regime and ensure freedom to all Tunisians. Tunisians do not accept those who use Islam as a main tool to gain power" a Tunisian journalist said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

In Tunis, the nation's capital, remote southern and central villages have been a hotbed of warriors who have traveled to Syria to participate in "jihad" against Bachar Al Assad's regime accused to be apostate.

Tunisia's newly elected government has wasted no time in its battle against extremism. Tunisia's chief source of revenue comes from tourism.

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