Islam in Tunisia
Etymology and Arabic Translation
- Etymology: The term “Tunisia” is derived from “Tunus”, the Berber and ancient Roman name for the capital, Tunis.
- Arabic Translation: تونس
- Turkish Translation: Tunus
Overview
Virtally all Tunisians are Sunni Muslims who predominantly follow the Maliki school of thought in Islamic jurisprudence. The influence of Islam profoundly shapes both the religious and socio-political landscape.
Historical Context
- French Protectorate (1883–1956): Sufi brotherhoods, such as Qadiri, Rahmani, Isawa, and Tijani, were prevalent during the French protectorate but experienced political decline and reduced religious influence.
- Independence (1956): Tunisia gained its independence in 1956 under President Habib Bourguiba, who introduced legal reforms that significantly altered traditional Islamic legal practices, such as marriage, divorce, and child custody. Notably, Tunisia was the first Arab country to ban polygyny.
Post-Independence Reforms
- Personal Status Code: Implemented by Bourguiba, this code replaced traditional Islamic law, reflecting a modernist approach to legal reforms.
- Political Changes: Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali ousted Bourguiba in 1987 due to alleged ill health and senility, subsequently leading to a more controlled form of governance.
Islamic Political Movements
- Islamic Tendency Movement (MTI): Founded in 1981 by Rashid al-Ghannoushi and Abd al-Fattah Muru, this movement aimed at Islamic reform but was met with severe governmental opposition.
- Hizb al-Nahdah (Renaissance Party): Emerged in 1988 as a reformed iteration of MTI. Ben Ali prohibited this party from participating in the 1989 elections, leading to al-Ghannoushi’s voluntary exile in Europe.
Contemporary Issues
- Civil Liberties: Ben Ali’s tenure saw significant economic growth but was marred by widespread repression, wire-tapped communications, outlawing encrypted emails, and illegalizing public dissent.
Further Readings
- “Islam and Democracy in Tunisia: Democratization and Economic Reforms in the Maghreb” by Salwa Ismail.
- “Rachid Ghannouchi: A Democrat within Islamism” by Azzam S. Tamimi.
- “The Tunisian Revolution: Origins, Course and Aftermath” edited by Nouri Gana.
Takeaways
- Tunisia offers a unique case study in balancing Islamic law with modern reforms.
- The role of Islam continues to be vital yet evolves within a complex socio-political framework.
- Despite economic growth, the intersection of religious and governmental policies often creates tension relating to civil liberties and political freedom.
Conclusion
The socio-political history of Tunisia is inseparably tied to Islam, with notable reforms in legal and personal status laws. The ongoing struggle for political freedom contrasts with religious tradition, making Tunisia a significant case study in modern Islamic governance.
