Ikbis is an Arabic word that means ‘press’.  About five thousand Tunisians took to the streets last week chanting the motto Ikbis. The protest organizers said they were lobbying for the acceleration of anti-corruption. Having been launched many weeks ago, the Ikbis campaign, which reached its peak last Friday at Kasbah Square near the government’s […]

For several years, 78 year-old Hassan pushed for his village to get a mosque. His dream finally came true after the revolution, and he started praying in the new mosque every day. For several years, 78 year-old Hassan pushed for his village to get a mosque. His dream finally came true after the revolution, and […]

“What a disaster that struck Muslims, what happened? A group of American disbelievers have produced an anti-prophet movie and it was posted on the Internet and shown in America, the country hostile to Islam and Muslims. Answer me, is there a more terrible disaster than that?” “What a disaster that struck Muslims, what happened? A […]

Since its establishment, the Moderate Association for Awareness and Reform (formerly the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice) has aroused much controversy. Its president, Adel el Alami, doesn’t hesitate to declare war on anything he deems in violation of Sharia and Islam. Since its establishment, the Moderate Association for Awareness and […]

Saturday evening is the start of the weekend in Tunisia when the demand for beer becomes unrivaled. Whether at high-end or popular pubs, it is difficult to find a bar stool. As soon as a customer leaves a pub, scores of others arrive, seeking a little peace of mind in an atmosphere charged with politics […]

Although she is only in her sixties, the deep wrinkles in Mabrouka’s face appear to have been carved by a longer time.  She sits cross-legged on a shabby carpet near a clay brazier in the middle of a small room, her long gray braids lying on her chest. With a trembling hand she takes a […]

The shabby men’s suit fails to hide the feminine figure of Salwa Ayari, who challenges traditional gender roles in order to make a living. Before the revolution, the secret police force under Ben Ali tried to recruit Ayari, a waitress in one of the capital’s many alleys, to spy on customers.  Today, Ayari says, the […]

Mohamed Abbou, the Secretary General of the Conference for the Republic Party (CPR) previously headed by President Marzouki and part of the troika coalition, resigned from his post because he claims he could not remain loyal to his promises to fight corruption. He insists that the CPR wouldn’t commit the same mistakes during the coming […]

In a store specializing in selling equipment for cafés and restaurants in the Khadra neighborhood in Tunis, Zakaria strains to stand up as he holds a sore back.  Still, he manages to smile through his thick beard. Zakaria, 30-years old, hails from the ‘Meknassy’ area in Sidi Bouzid State. He has come to Tunis with […]

“I defend moderate women and wouldn’t accuse them of being religiously delirious if they wore a hijab or niqab, (veil). On the other hand, not wearing the hijab does not mean they have abandoned their Arab-Islamic roots.” With these words, Souad Abdul-Rahim, Constituent Assembly Member of the Islamist Ennahda Party summed up her attitude towards […]