Despite being in desperate need of funds to implement projects in the municipality of Nabeul— 60 kilometers east of Tunis— the indebted region will have to find another way of coming across funding because its council chairman, Shehab Ghallab, refuses to take a loan on the pretext that it violates Sharia— or is haram.

Despite being in desperate need of funds to implement projects in the municipality of Nabeul— 60 kilometers east of Tunis— the indebted region will have to find another way of coming across funding because its council chairman, Shehab Ghallab, refuses to take a loan on the pretext that it violates Sharia— or is haram.

This unusual decision has proven highly controversial among citizens and political factions, leading eight MPs to demand Ghallab’s resignation, citing his bad administration and ideology-oriented decisions, which allegedly ignore the public interest and serve his private one.

National Constituent Assembly member for the Republic Party, Noomane Fehri, couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the minutes from a Nabeul municipality session from February 27: “’The chairman interrupted saying that he could not justify borrowing since Islam did not allow it and that he was ready to repay neither the loan nor its interests,’” said Fehri.

“I’m amazed that such a decision and justification could come from a municipality official who ignores citizens’ interests just to be loyal to his own religious convictions, political orientation and ideology,” said Fehri.  “He calls for finding alternative solutions for borrowing even if they are long-term ones and require more time and effort.”

He did not act alone

Ghallab, however, stresses that the decision was taken by majority: 15 yeas versus 1 nay. He denies what was written in the minutes and accuses some people of exaggeration and falsifying to politicize the matter. “An item in the minutes was not signed by the attendees; it was added later on,” Ghallab said.  

When asked about the real reason behind rejecting the borrowing policy, Ghallab stressed that the financial deficit was 80%. He explained that after much consideration and discussion, experts decided that borrowing would not be a sustainable solution as the municipality would be more deeply in debt, which would lead to a complete deficit and thus it would not be able to implement any projects or adopt the good governance policy. Unfortunately, he says, “The municipality will remain heavily indebted till 2027.”

“I believe the loans are the easiest but not the best option, so we should go for the hardest one,” Ghallab added.

Ignoring the people’s will

Locals have resented and denounced the decision, especially since the rural areas need paved roads, drinking water networks, developmental projects and job opportunities.

One citizen expressed her surprise, anger and confusion at the decision. “They have deprived us of the badly needed paved roads that would make transport easy, especially in winter, while all they do is pamper themselves and work in luxurious offices,” she said.

“Imagine that constructing the town hall cost seven billion dinars. They should have adopted austerity measures because citizens deserve this wasted money more,” she added with extreme anger.

She believes that the country’s wealth is not distributed fairly as the municipality’s officials work in luxurious offices and have cars to run their personal errands. “Many rural areas in Nabeul lack drinking water and sewage,” she added.”It is said they want to apply Sharia to economy and development even if it harms the interests of the country and poor citizens,” said Qassem, an 80-year-old man.

“God help us! Today’s officials allow and forbid as they please. The government has adopted the borrowing policy for years. What has come up to change this policy? They want to humiliate us and not let us live the rest of our lives in peace.”