Tunisia’s Salafis – behind the beards

ENAR

Tunisia's Salafis, adherents of a stricter interpretation of Islam than the majority of the country’s Muslims, are increasingly familiar protagonists in news stories. Two years after the revolution that overthrew dictator Zine al-Abedine Ben Ali, Salafis are often portrayed as violent, intimidating, resisting official decisions or stopping practices they judge forbidden by Islam. Overshadowing all the more minor incidents is the still unsolved assassination of the leftist politician Chokri Belaid in February. Belaid was a vocal critic of Salafi ideology, which he regarded as running counter to Tunisia's liberal values. Authorities have pointed the finger of blame at those from the shadowy world of Salafi groups. Beyond the news headlines, however, Salafism is a complex social phenomenon among young Tunisians looking for a direction in life following the 2011 revolution. While only a very small minority of Tunisia's regard themselves as Salafis – a recent report suggested their total number