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RSSThe rise of Salafism in Tunisia
Those thirsty for spiritual fulfillment are increasingly turning to the Saudi brand of Islam.
By Tam Hussein Published 28 June 2012 10:57
In his small shop in Kairouan, Waseem offered me a cup of sweet mint tea. Like most Salafis, he sported the signature look: long beard and trousers rolled up above his ankles. The merchant was different from the rest; he didn’t exchange jovial insults, he lowered his gaze whenever a woman passed by and his hospitality verged on the absurd. I couldn’t help asking why Salafis like him were vilified in the Tunisian media. Waseem didn’t smash up bars or threaten to lop off hands in remote villages like they claimed. The truth is, for a post-revolution Tunisia thirsty for unadulterated freedom, Waseem represented the very antithesis of revolution: an austere and uncompromising brand of Islam imported from Saudi Arabia that sought to snuff out its ideals (whatever they were).
While Waseem causes consternation amongst Tunisian liberals, to Western policy makers he is a potential nightmare. The sort of person who resents any form of intervention of the non-believing kind, who given the right conditions, could transform into a mythological arch enemy of the bin Laden variety. Of course, many want to blame Saudi petro-dollars for brainwashing Tunisian youth but the truth is, if anyone’s to blame it’s the previous regime.
In 1956, the Tunisian president, Habib Bourguiba, set his newly-independent country on a course to catch up with the West. That meant industrialisation, curtailing the influence of religion and, like he had done himself, embracing French political values. Yet careful not to offend religious sensibilities, he refrained from attacking religion directly. Instead he started to undermine religious institutions like Zeitouna and Kairouan colleges that had played an important role in North African Islam for centuries. Bourguiba appropriated the trusts and charities set up for their upkeep. He subdued Islamic jurisprudence and religious courts so that they followed a French model. Preceding France by fifty years, he declared war on that ‘odious rag’, the veil, and introduced the Personal Status Code that guaranteed the legal status of women. Although the code was essentially a reiteration of Islamic law, its French veneer made the religious institutions appear out of touch. Moreover, with a modern education system taught in French and Arabic, the future rested on secular foundations. It alienated many, as Rashid Ghannoushi, Zeitouna alumni and founder of the Ennahda party says: “We were strangers in our own country; we had been educated as Muslims and Arabs, whilst the country was molded in the French cultural identity”. However, Bourguiba’s popularity was such that the religious classes could not muster enough support to oppose him.
Bourguiba’s covert policy of undermining religion paid dividends. In 1960, during the fast of Ramadan, he declared that Tunisian workers were exempt from their religious obligation. In Bourguiba’s mind servicing the economy constituted a jihad and in such situations the obligation was lifted. Of course, the Mufti of Tunis did not see it that way, and refused to ratify his claim; Bourguiba responded by liquidating the repositories of Islamic learning. By 1961 Zeitouna University had been incorporated into the newly-founded University of Tunis, and its precious collection of books on astronomy and mathematics had allegedly found their way into the private collections of the Ben Ali clan.
That left spiritually hungry Tunisians turning to whatever was available. With the government eliminating real opposition parties and indigenous religious institutions, the young found the sound bites, pamphlets, and banned books closer to the truth. As Izzedine, a book seller in the old city of Tunis says: “The banned books of Salafi scholars became highly sought after during the Bourguiba and Ben Ali era”. The famed Tunisian moderateness or wasatiya weakened because of the brutal repression of Tunisian Islamists in the 80s and the 90s. It left the way open for a de-contextualized Salafism.
Waseem’s story is a classic example; thirsty for spiritual fulfillment, he had joined Tabligh Jamaat, one of the world’s largest non-political organizations that proselytised Islam. He soon became profoundly disappointed with the organisation because they discouraged him from studying Islam and politically engaging with the system. Having no indigenous institution to turn to, he took for truth whatever was available as long as it was anti-government and soon embraced the Saudi brand of Islam. However, the election victory by Algerian Islamists in the 90s meant that the regime cracked down on people like him. Before the age of 20 he had been arrested and tortured for attending the congregational dawn prayer.
In a strange quirk of fate he escaped and found refuge in Gaddafi's Libya only to return once Ben Ali had fallen. Ironically, it seems that the rise of Salafism in Tunisia was not because of Saudi petro-dollars but because of a secular dictatorship trying to impose its own values on its people.
Tags: Tunisia Arab Spring Islam
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Tam Hussein is an award winning writer and journalist specialising in the Middle East. He spent several years in the Middle East and North Africa working as a translator and consultant. Tam also writes for the Huffington Post.
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All Salafis' should atleast go through this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPKNb6cnMOA&list=UU3Xlgbc8gq3NOMmdEUAlfGg...
How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property - either as a child, a wife, or a concubine - must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men.
"Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the Queen: all know how to die. But the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytising faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science - the science against which it had vainly struggled - the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient Rome." - Winston Churchill
Soon you will see how Important are the teachings of Islam to survive in the time to come and the time which is very near. It is only islam that explains the corruption of the Paper Money for example. Just listen to this lecture even if you are a Non-Muslim ..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY0nBZReUGs&list=UU3Xlgbc8gq3NOMmdEUAlfGg...
Quote of the Day - Regarding Gareth Williams, “The world was ours for the taking.”. There's a rumour going around that Gareth may of had some sort of a last covert mission with 'Dolly the Sheep', prior to his demise, but it hasn't been fully substantiated! Apparently Alex Chapman didn't know about this covert relationship, but he may have Saw(ers) alot! Ronan Summers definitely didn't have anything to do with it, even though he loves to drink Tenets! We all love Wiltshire (Porton Down) more than Gloucestershire (GCHQ), even more so then Worcestershire (RSRE). Military Radiations Signals Intelligence always use to do 'his head in', especially when using ELF or VLF frequencies, impacting directly on the 'Neural Oscillations' of the Central Nervous System. But taking a 'Nano-Medicine' Paracetamol takes the head to a new level of game play, I'll assure you of that! Nothing to do with BCI, RNM, Synthetic Telepathy ... that would REALLY BE MAD!!! An odd thought shared ... the illegal "watching over" in our individual 'castles' of this beloved Britannia, while entertaining Babar Pappa.
my roomate's ex-wife brought home $20970 last month. she works on the laptop and bought a $580700 house. All she did was get blessed and put to work the guide uncovered on this link http://lazycash24.com
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In the US South, right wing pesudo-religious racist wingnuts pride themselves on their "piety" and "hospitality" --both of which are superficial and hypocritical. It doesn't surprise me that the Tunisian equivalent acts the same way. Hitler, they say, was very friendly to children and dogs, but he was still Hitler. Salafism is no more representative of Islam than the Southern Baptists are to Christianity --both are hate-filled intolerant hypocritical creeds that wish to turn back time to Medieval patriarchy.
Muslims are not barbarians, they enlightened Europe when my Scots galloglass ancestors were cutting off English heads in Ireland in exchange for land and gold. Most Muslims are no more fanatical than the majority of European Christians.
I think it's rather unjust to equate Salafists with ridiculous US religious nutters. The latter have none of the habits of scholarship and reflection of the Salafist temper, and, as the article points out, nothing does more for radical islam than an oppressive secular programme against it. With some exceptions, like Turkey under Ataturk.
I'd rather root for a "ridiculous US religious nutter" than a Salafist. Most fundamentalist Christians I know don't want to overthrow the constitution & are far more receptive to criticism on their faith.
Dear Tam Hussein,
You said:
"Having no indigenous institution to turn to, he took for truth whatever was available as long as it was anti-government and soon embraced the Saudi brand of Islam".
You suggest that the 'Saudi brand of Islam' is anti-government. This is incorrect. You would do well to read the material on the links given below.
(1) http://www.islamagainstextremism.com/
(2) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/irktb-allaahs-qadari-and--shariyyy...
(3) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/ctcdt-revolutions-coups-and-revolt...
Regards,
Muhammed Abbas Khan
Dear Tam Hussein,
You said:
"Having no indigenous institution to turn to, he took for truth whatever was available as long as it was anti-government and soon embraced the Saudi brand of Islam".
You suggest that the 'Saudi brand of Islam' is anti-government. This is incorrect. You would do well to read the material on the links given below.
(1) http://www.islamagainstextremism.com/
(2) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/irktb-allaahs-qadari-and--shariyyy...
(3) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/ctcdt-revolutions-coups-and-revolt...
Regards,
Muhammed Abbas Khan
Dear Tam Hussein,
You said:
"Having no indigenous institution to turn to, he took for truth whatever was available as long as it was anti-government and soon embraced the Saudi brand of Islam".
You suggest that the 'Saudi brand of Islam' is anti-government. This is incorrect. You would do well to read the material on the links given below.
(1) http://www.islamagainstextremism.com/
(2) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/irktb-allaahs-qadari-and--shariyyy...
(3) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/ctcdt-revolutions-coups-and-revolt...
Regards,
Muhammed Abbas Khan
Dear Tam Hussein,
You said:
"Having no indigenous institution to turn to, he took for truth whatever was available as long as it was anti-government and soon embraced the Saudi brand of Islam".
You suggest that the 'Saudi brand of Islam' is anti-government. This is incorrect. You would do well to read the material on the links given below.
(1) http://www.islamagainstextremism.com/
(2) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/irktb-allaahs-qadari-and--shariyyy...
(3) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/ctcdt-revolutions-coups-and-revolt...
Regards,
Muhammed Abbas Khan
Dear Tam Hussein,
You said:
"Having no indigenous institution to turn to, he took for truth whatever was available as long as it was anti-government and soon embraced the Saudi brand of Islam".
You suggest that the 'Saudi brand of Islam' is anti-government. This is incorrect. You would do well to read the material on the links given below.
(1) http://www.islamagainstextremism.com/
(2) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/irktb-allaahs-qadari-and--shariyyy...
(3) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/ctcdt-revolutions-coups-and-revolt...
Regards,
Muhammed Abbas Khan
Dear Tam Hussein,
You said:
"Having no indigenous institution to turn to, he took for truth whatever was available as long as it was anti-government and soon embraced the Saudi brand of Islam".
You suggest that the 'Saudi brand of Islam' is anti-government. This is incorrect. You would do well to read the material on the links given below.
(1) http://www.islamagainstextremism.com/
(2) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/irktb-allaahs-qadari-and--shariyyy...
(3) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/ctcdt-revolutions-coups-and-revolt...
Regards,
Muhammed Abbas Khan
Dear Tam Hussein,
You said:
"Having no indigenous institution to turn to, he took for truth whatever was available as long as it was anti-government and soon embraced the Saudi brand of Islam".
You suggest that the 'Saudi brand of Islam' is anti-government. This is incorrect. You would do well to read the material on the links given below.
(1) http://www.islamagainstextremism.com/
(2) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/irktb-allaahs-qadari-and--shariyyy...
(3) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/ctcdt-revolutions-coups-and-revolt...
Regards,
Muhammed Abbas Khan
Dear Tam Hussein,
You said:
"Having no indigenous institution to turn to, he took for truth whatever was available as long as it was anti-government and soon embraced the Saudi brand of Islam".
You suggest that the 'Saudi brand of Islam' is anti-government. This is incorrect. You would do well to read the material on the links given below.
(1) http://www.islamagainstextremism.com/
(2) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/irktb-allaahs-qadari-and--shariyyy...
(3) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/ctcdt-revolutions-coups-and-revolt...
Regards,
Muhammed Abbas Khan
Dear Tam Hussein,
You said:
"Having no indigenous institution to turn to, he took for truth whatever was available as long as it was anti-government and soon embraced the Saudi brand of Islam".
You suggest that the 'Saudi brand of Islam' is anti-government. This is incorrect. You would do well to read the material on the links given below.
(1) http://www.islamagainstextremism.com/
(2) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/irktb-allaahs-qadari-and--shariyyy...
(3) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/ctcdt-revolutions-coups-and-revolt...
Regards,
Muhammed Abbas Khan
Dear Tam Hussein,
You said:
"Having no indigenous institution to turn to, he took for truth whatever was available as long as it was anti-government and soon embraced the Saudi brand of Islam".
You suggest that the 'Saudi brand of Islam' is anti-government. This is incorrect. You would do well to read the material on the links given below.
(1) http://www.islamagainstextremism.com/
(2) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/irktb-allaahs-qadari-and--shariyyy...
(3) http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/ctcdt-revolutions-coups-and-revolt...
Regards,
Muhammed Abbas Khan
For some time now Europe is ruled by corrupt politicians who only see short-term benefits and there is also ignorance among the Europeans about what Islam really is. Muslims’ incursions into the west is likely to get worse and worse.
The story of one guy who needs guidance to live his life from a strict religious code?
The world needs less of them and more who look on it as a cheap form of phsycotherapy.
Feck ''em. They cause nothing but trouble.
Why is the British left so enamoured of Islamocrazies? Why does a supposedly secular intellectual publication give room to these people and their rantings? How does one gain "spiritual fulfillment from believeing the words of a 7th century paedophile, slave trader and mass murderer? Why have we let 30 million of these barbarians into Europe? Answers on a postcard.
All good question , although i'm afraid you will not get any reasonable answers. I put it down to the left wingers inbuilt hatred of themselves and their country.