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Tunisia to lift ban on pro-Sharia political groups; Islamic supremacist leader says he’s no Khomeini

Jan 23, 2011 5:50 am By Robert Spencer

“Asked about hardliners who dismiss Western-style democracy and call for the creation of a traditional Islamic state, he said: ‘Our position is very far from this idea, … which we think has no place within the moderate Islamist tendency. It is extremist and … not based on a correct interpretation of Islam.'” Ghannouchi’s statement is ambiguous. Does he mean to establish an Islamic state or not? Generally the use of the term “Islamist” refers to exponents of political Islam, so it would seem so; apparently, however, Ghannouchi is maintaining that such a state could simultaneously continue to be a democracy. And indeed it could, although restrictions on the rights of women and non-Muslims would almost certainly come if such a government were to remain true to established Islamic principles as enunciated by all the mainstream sects of Islam and schools of Islamic jurisprudence.

“Tunisia Islamist leader rejects Khomeini comparison,” from Reuters, January 22 (thanks to Amil Imani):

DUBAI, Jan 22 (Reuters) Tunisia’s Islamist Ennahda movement is democratic and should not be feared, its exiled leader said today, rejecting any comparison between him and Iran’s late leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

The Tunisian government said this week that it would lift a ban on political groups including the Ennahda, or Renaissance, movement, which was suppressed during the 24-year rule of president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali who fled a week ago.

”We are a moderate Islamic movement, a democratic movement based on democratic ideals in … Islamic culture. Some people pull Khomeini’s robe over me, while I am no Khomeini nor a Shi’ite,” Rached Ghannouchi told Al Jazeera television.

Asked about hardliners who dismiss Western-style democracy and call for the creation of a traditional Islamic state, he said: ”Our position is very far from this idea, … which we think has no place within the moderate Islamist tendency. It is extremist and … not based on a correct interpretation of Islam.”

Analysts say moderate Islamists in Tunisia may attract many followers after the overthrow of Ben Ali, while militants may be able to infiltrate from neighbouring Algeria, which has long fought Islamic hardliners….

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Filed Under: Sharia, Tunisia


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