From Tyranny to Farce
Is there such an animal as a "moderate Islamist"? This is what the headlines claim: "Moderate Islamists claim victory in Tunisia". One knows how to ingest the term "moderate Muslim". But "Moderate Islamist"? Come, now. Islamists are identified by their fundamentalist credentials. Fanatic is not too strong a term to describe Islamists. They cling to the individual Arabic letter of every parsed segment of the Koran.Notoriously, Islamists insist on Sharia law to guide them and their followers through every facet of their daily lives. And written into that law are some fairly dramatic and spine-chilling punishments for social offences, religious offences, political offences which are forbidden under those laws. Those Muslims who are insufficiently pious are considered apostates.
In Tunisia, a country that has been one that practised more modern, liberal values under a long succession of secular governments under dictators, yesterday's election, following the triumph of their "Arab Spring" as the first country to settle with its large revolutionary demonstrations, the Islamist party that the former regime had suppressed, the Ennahda party, has gained a majority.
"We will spare no effort to create a stable political alliance ... We reassure the investors and international economic partners", pledged Ennahda's campaign manager, Abdelhamid Jlazzi, pledging that his party was prepared to form alliances with the two secular follow-up parties. And with an eye to the economic well-being of the sparkling new Tunisia.
"This is an historic moment", observed a young hijab-wearing woman, outside the Ennahda headquarters. "No one can doubt this result. This result shows very clearly that the Tunisian people is a people attached to its Islamic identity." Tunisia's Habiba Bourguiba who ruled the country after its independence from France spoke of the hijab as an "odious rag".
Rachid Ghannouchi who lived in British exile for 22 years now leads Ennahda into government. His tormentor, President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali fled in disarray to Saudi Arabia when the revolution became too hot and harried. Mr. Ghannouchi wears Western-style suits, his wife and daughter wear the hijab.
"I really feel a lot of fear and concern after this result. Women's rights will be eroded" mourned Meriam Othmani, a 28-year-old Tunisian journalist. "Also, you'll see the return of dictatorship once Ennahda achieves a majority in the constituent assembly.
Labels: Heritage, Human Rights, Islamism, Political Realities
posted by Pieface @ Tuesday, October 25, 2011
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