This will be a tall order, given that the only stable, functioning democracy that has ever existed in a majority-Muslim country was in Turkey, and that one was founded as a direct and explicit rejection of political Islam, and is being slowly and steadily dismantled by an authoritarian ruler who believes in political Islam. So what Beji Caid Essebsi is determined to prove has never been evident at any time in Islamic history.
Note also Schulz’s words to Essebsi: “Your country is a beacon of pluralism and tolerance today. The constitution guarantees the rule of law, individual freedoms and equality for all at a crucial time when populists are actively trying to spread fear.” By “populists,” Schulz is referring to the growing forces in Europe that reject the EU’s program of inundating Europe with Muslim migrants. For Schulz, the real foes are people such as Geert Wilders, not jihad terrorists.
“Tunisian President to MEPs: ‘Islam is not incompatible with democracy,'” enpi-info.eu, December 1, 2016:
Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi, visited today the European Parliament in Brussels, where he was welcomed by Parliament President Martin Schulz. They discussed developments in Tunisia and EU-Tunisia relations. Essebsi called the visit a “historic and highly symbolic moment” and addressed MEPs on his country’s commitment to democracy and freedom.
“Tunisia is determined to prove that Islam is not incompatible with democracy,” said Essebsi, who became president in late 2014 after winning the country’s first free elections.
This year is the 40th anniversary of the first cooperation agreement between Tunisia and the EU, Essebsi told MEPS during today’s plenary session in Brussels: “Tunisia and Europe destiny have been closely linked. We have had harmonious links and these are the links to build a strong relationship on.”…
Schulz praised Tunisia’s transformation into a democracy: “Your country is a beacon of pluralism and tolerance today. The constitution guarantees the rule of law, individual freedoms and equality for all at a crucial time when populists are actively trying to spread fear.”