Transcript Slide 1
The Jasmine Revolution:
Islam and the State in Tunisia
Dr. Rukhsana Qamber
Director, Area Study Centre for
Africa, North & South America
• International Conference
• Islam and State: Practice and
Perceptions in Pakistan and the
Contemporary Muslim World
• (IPRI, HSF, IRD & IIUI)
• International Islamic University
• Faisal Mosque Campus
• January 25-26, 2011
Tunisia has long been an
important player in the
Mediterranean, placed
as it is in the centre of
North Africa, close to
vital shipping routes.
In their time, the
Romans, Arabs, Ottoman
Turks and French realised
its strategic significance,
making it a hub for
control over the region
Interesting Facts about Tunisia
Full name: Tunisian Republic
Population: 10.4 million (UN, 2010) Muslims, Christian and
Jews
Capital: Tunis
Area: 164,150 sq km (63,378 sq miles)
Major languages: Arabic (official); French
Major religion: Islam
Life expectancy: 73 years (men), 77 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Tunisian dinar (TD) = 1,000 millimes
Main exports: Agricultural products, textiles, oil
GNI per capita: US $3,720 (World Bank, 2009)
Tunisia is the northernmost African country, apart from being the smallest
nation situated along the Atlas mountain range.
The year 1883 saw French Protectorate being established over Tunisia.
Tunisia gained independence from France on 20th March 1956.
Till date, Tunisia has had only two presidents - Habib Bourgiba, who ruled
from 1956 until 1987, and Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who assumed power in a
bloodless coup in 1987.
Modern day Tunisia is the location of the ancient Phoenician empire,
centered on Carthage, its ruins now around 10 km from modern Tunis.
Tunisia is divided into 24 governates (wilayat), of which Tataouine is the
largest and Tunis is the smallest, in terms of area.
Tunisia is home to a number of archaeological sites, particularly those of
Roman origin.
Tunis is currently the only town in Tunisia to be equipped with a metro
("tube") service, which is more like a tramway.
The highest point in Tunisia is formed by Jebel ech Chambi (1,544 m).
The Tunisian oasis at Kebili has been found to be containing evidence of
Stone Age settlements.
Spain occupied Tunisia for a short time, in the middle of the 16th century. The
country became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1574.
Sacred Sites
Carthage
Located on an
strategically important
site, Carthage was an
important classical
city and a major center
of early Christianity.
Sacred Sites
Great
Mosque of
Kairouan
Every Tunisian city has a
Great Mosque, but the one in
Kairouan
is
the
most
important. It is the oldest
mosque in North Africa and
commonly regarded as the
fourth holiest site in Islam.
Sacred Sites
Three Doors
Mosque
At Kairouan
Dating from 866 AD, this
mosque is famed for its
magnificent carved facade with
Kufic inscriptions and floral
designs.
Islamic Seminary
Zaytuna
Mosque
Front of
(literally meaning the
Mosque of Olive)
Tunis' oldest monument
dating back to the 8th
century A.D., once home to
scholars such as Ibn
Khaldun and Imam Ibn
Arafa
Islamic Seminary – Zaytuna Mosque in Tunis
The mosque is the oldest in the Capital of Tunisia and covers an area
of 5,000 square meters with nine entrances. It is famous for its 160
authentic columns and for making Tunis a great centre of Islamic
learning.
Zaytuna Madrassa,
Janazah (Islamic Funeral) Workshop: Imam Zaid Shakir
demonstrates the procedure for washing the deceased.
Jasmine Revolution
The Jasmine is the national flower of Tunisia.
The Jasmine Revolution:
December 17, 2010: Young Muhammed Bouazizi’s
self-immolation.
January 3, 2011: His death
Tunisia Snapshot: How Its Youth Moved from Fear,
to Whispering, to the "Jasmine Revolution"
Jasmine revolution in Tunisia gets second wind with
more protests by more rural and urban protesters