Tunisian bloggers talk about censorship, religion and women in Islam

30/11/2006

The Tunisian blogosphere hot topics this week were Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Turkey, censorship and women in Islam.

[Getty Images] Thysdrus believes that women in North Africa ought to separate tradition from the religion.

Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Turkey on Tuesday (November 28th) -- on a visit, according to the Vatican, that aims to reiterate the pontiff's efforts in understanding Islam and Muslims.

Hatem Diaries, however, still can not understand "Why Pope Benedict XVI insists on [visiting] Turkey? He knows that he's not welcomed, at least now," noted the Tunisian blogger.

In her post "If you can't see it, I'll show you," Nadia from Tunis blogged about censorship in her country. She believes that "Tunisia imposes, according to many organizations, of the strictest internet censorship procedures in the world." The Tunisian blogger reported that "since November 23rd, Tunisia blocks Wikipedia and all the servers of the Wikimedia foundation."

"We should not put up with this … talk about it around you! Talk to influent people you know…defend yourself," suggested Zizou from Djerba.

"Wikipedia is finally back! Did our voices reach the sky and [bring] the rain?" celebrated Mouse Hunter on Tuesday (November 28) at the end of the blockage.

Six and the city blogged about respect for women. The blogger said she has "real issues with authority", and won't adhere to it unless it is based on mutual respect. "The real issue is that [I] do not like to feel demeaned," noted the blogger, who wants to be respected because "she is worth it".

Thysdrus has a 40-minute podcast about the documentary " Lorsqu' On Mélange Islam Et Traditions" (When We Mix Islam with Tradition). Produced by the French-German Television ARTE, the documentary depicts the lives of a group of eight North African women living in France. A poignant account about what they believe their society has deprived them from in the name of Islam.

"Aside from their courage and audacity of these women," the Tunisian blogger noted," they have just mixed traditions and Islam. No doubt this group of women talks about what they have lived, about their own experience, but to the extent of stigmatizing … Islam as a constraining religion, of oppression and sexually insensitive … I find that impure and serious."

Hou-Hou Blog blogged a familiar topic because "it will probably never repeat it enough."

"Muslims and Arabs have to condemn terrorism in all its forms," he wrote. "If we do not hear these voices [of condemnation], it is because the media do not talk about it … they prefer the sensationalism."