Tunisian bloggers talk about censorship, religion and women in Islam
2006-11-30
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."
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tarikur Posted 2006-11-30
Wikipedia is run by Islamophobic people. It is not blance at all. All the controversial Islamic get dominated by Islamophobic people who spend their life just typing away in the closet. If you edit or talk, they ban you. The messed up part is, the far-majority people are Islamophobic that operate those conversial sites. Anything voting and kicking out, they always win. Other than that controversial topics, wikipedia is GREAT. I love WIkipedia.
jaloul Posted 2006-12-01
Daring to speak out is a good thing, the beginning of freedom.
mouad Posted 2006-12-04
In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful. In my view, the site is excellent compared to other sites out there. I hope that it stays in this course of progress...my question is however the following: How can Tunisia claim to be an Islamic and democratic country by banning Hijab among the youth?
el greco Posted 2006-12-05
I don't think so. Wikipedia is very open! To everyone! Clique on "Tunisia" or "CIGV" and you'll see.
maaroufi mouldi Posted 2006-12-06
how can tunisia allow the hijab when it has not been known in the culture except the vail(safsari) and for thr women to cover up properly like it is stated in islam i think somebody must explain all these different issues to the young women in tunisia and not import different custums and impose them on others and if they do not want to be seen the best place is to stay at home.
thysdrus Posted 2006-12-08
for maaroufi mouldi. i agree with you about the fact that the hijab in tunisia is a fashion brought recently to our country from the middle east by the means of powerful tv networks. But should i remind you that not only "young women" wear hijab in tunisie. Some women (not necessary "young", sometimes with a high educational background) are convinced that wearing hijab is essential for them to express their religious beliefs. I don't think that the state should dictate the way people should dress. thysdrus
Janan Posted 2007-01-12
Hi, I am from Slovakia and love Tunisia. But I am surpriced how few woman wear hijab or other covering of the head. Definitely Tunisian government should accept the religionof Islam. I also agree that joung people shold be teached what is islam ond what are customs. I would encourage muslims in Tunisia to educate in islam and think about conections between daily behavour and islam. And to be open to modern society, because I dont think religion is something old fashioned.
صبري Posted 2007-05-24
Hello. 2- I have a few comments 3- They should fear God
صبري Posted 2007-05-24
Salam alaikoum 2- Tunisia is almost leaving the confession of Ibrahim
mariana Posted 2008-01-09
I think that the islam is a very weird religion and the people that are in it do not know what freedom means. Live is not just fact of wearing a hijab or not, the RELIGION is inside of you, it is not a physical appereance issue, it is more spiritual than material.
Clem23 Posted 2008-02-28
I do not see how the subject about being against Wikipedia concerns you. As my friend Hégésippe Cormier put so well, Wikipedia is not an African encyclopedia.
Ahmed Posted 2008-04-23
salamu alaykom I have just one quistion why the freedom is always connected with exposing more of the women flesh , in covering that would be wrong even if she decide to do so.
Lina Posted 2008-06-06
I totally agree with mariana.
Anonymous Posted 2008-06-20
In reply to my Mariana who wrote on 01-01-2008. I think that Islam is a very odd religion and those who follow it don’t know the meaning of freedom. Life is not just a matter of wearing the veil or not. Religion is something inside you. It is not an external appearance. It is more spiritual than material. Dear Mariana, the true religion with God is Islam. I don’t want here to diminish your religious freedom. Islam alone guarantees for the Christians, Arabs and Jews to live among us without discrimination degrading their rights from any of them. Islam means that you should witness that there is no other God but Allah, Mohamed is the messenger of God, perform prayer, pay tithe, fast Ramadan, and make pilgrimage if you can. As you see, Islam is not just in the heart. It is a declaration with the tongue, a conviction of the senses and an application of the pillars. If you had given to Caesar what belongs to him I tell you that what belongs to Caesar belongs to God. Secondly, why do you vote, dethrone Caesar and gave yourself the right to interfere with a king in a direct or indirect way through elections. Why is presidency forbidden to a Muslim and monopolized by the infidels and hypocrites? We are with you citizens as well… Peace be upon those who follow the right path. I say to Sabri that “none dispute concerning the communications of Allah but those who disbelieve, therefore let not their going to and fro in the cities deceive you. The people of Nuh and the parties after them rejected (prophets) before them, and every nation purposed against their apostle to destroy him and they disputed by means of the falsehood that they might thereby render null the truth, therefore I destroyed them; how was then My retribution!”.
صالح Posted 2008-10-31
To all Arab brothers everywhere. The problem isn’t to find someone to listen to me, to be convinced with my opinions or to argue with him so that I prove that he is wrong. All the matter is how to realize my self and you yourself? The answer to this question is interesting to me and you. How is that interesting? Simply with serious and hard work from your position wherever it is and however it is in order to serve your nation and this will certainly serve the Umma. As to the sterile debate you are indulging in, I avoid it. Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you.
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