The Tunisian Organization for Defending Students (licensed for over a year now) has reported numerous violations and assaults committed by Salafists against Tunisian students. Head of the Organization Mohammad Amin Kryvyi said, “Salafists are trying to brainwash students with fanatic notions.” Kryvi added that the organization has received various reports from students being harassed and “investigations uncovered intellectual violence aimed at spreading hatred and bigotry that incites violence against students.”
Unlicensed preaching tents
The Tunisian Organization for Defending Students (licensed for over a year now) has reported numerous violations and assaults committed by Salafists against Tunisian students. Head of the Organization Mohammad Amin Kryvyi said, “Salafists are trying to brainwash students with fanatic notions.” Kryvi added that the organization has received various reports from students being harassed and “investigations uncovered intellectual violence aimed at spreading hatred and bigotry that incites violence against students.”
Unlicensed preaching tents
Kryvyi explained that Salafists have resorted to setting up tents in front of secondary education schools and preaching over loud speakers, through which they promote radical religious doctrines that call for prohibiting gender mixing, demand women to wear veils and require men to grow their beards. The organization has observed several tents that were set-up during examinations, like those pitched in front of Houmt Souk Sschools in Djerba where the loud speakers prevented students from studying. “According to investigations, 30 unlicensed tents were pitched in front of secondary schools by associations such as Kheir, AlHekma, Nady Alilem Walaamal, Dawa Walehsan and Annassiha,” he added.
Prohibiting gender mixing at schools
Other violations committed by such tent organizers include attempting to attract students to attend their sermons in exchange for 5 dinars (US $3) and juice boxes, Kryvyi said. “Such practices violate Chapter 19 of the Child Protection Code that prevents promotion of intolerance and notions of hatred, incitement to violence, intimidation by promoting concepts such as ‘wearing a veil’ or prohibiting Facebook, fashion, singing or television series.”
According to investigations conducted by the organization, almost 24,898 students were morally and physically assaulted by Salafists during the observed tents’ events.
In addition, the organization stressed that 11 teachers from various parts of the country prevented gender mixing inside their classes including a history and geography teacher at Bani Khallad Sschools in Nabeul (60 km east of Tunis) and a math teacher at Ibn Sina junior high school. The organization also reported other teachers intimidating and tormenting their students with “grave religious doctrines.”
Many parents expressed anger and criticized the ministry for not taking any action. Khadija, mother of a student in El Khadra district, said, “El Khadra has attracted Salafist’s activities where tents have spread everywhere.” She added that her son said Salafists visit the sschools and advise the males to grow their beard and adhere to their religion’s teachings.
An Exaggeration?
Press Attach of the Ministry of Education refused to comment on this issue as the Ministry is busy preparing this year’s final exams, but stressed that current speculations are merely an exaggeration aimed at creating a crisis in the school community.
However, Houmt Souk Sschools in Djerba (500 kilometers south of Tunis) has been targeted by Salafists’ preach tents throughout the school year.
Pedagogical Guide of Houmt Souk Sschools said, “The schools’ management is only concerned with its internal affairs while the street is the responsibility of the Security Forces. As an administration, we do not have the authority to prevent these preaching tents, it is the concern of regional and local authorities to control such activities,” he explained.
Concerning teachers’ violations to the educational programs, Saad Yacoubi, Secretary General of the Secondary Education Union, refused to comment on their behavior, but stressed that today’s main concern is to successfully conclude this year’s final examinations. “If violations were committed in front of schools, the union will make sure they will not be repeated next year,” he said.
The opposition and Human Rights Watch accused the government of laxity in approaching radical groups who negatively influence children and adolescents through these preaching tents.
