AhlulBayt News Agency

source : Press TV
Sunday

4 December 2011

8:30:00 PM
282302

Tunisians voice support for Islamic rule

Thousands of people in Tunisia have gathered in support of Islamic parties near the parliament building in the capital Tunis, as lawmakers drafted a new constitution for the country.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Several supporters of secularists also staged parallel protests outside the building in Bardo district of the Tunis.

Separated by police, both sides held flags and shouted slogans in support of their political groups.

Tunisians frequently took to the streets to voice their support for more Islamic influence in their society following the country's Islamic revolution earlier this year.

Protests have been held as tensions between the two sides have increased over the past months, when a moderate Islamist party came to power at the head of a coalition government.

In October, the Islamic Ennahda party won 89 seats of a 217-strong constituent assembly in the first democratic elections after the ouster of dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January. The constituent assembly is expected to draw up a new constitution and appoint the caretaker government until the country calls a general election.

According to Islamic groups, the secularist elites, who have run the country since its independence from France continues to restrict their freedom to practice their faith. Meanwhile, secularists say Islamists aim at imposing Islamic rule.

In January, Tunisians held massive street protests that eventually toppled their US-backed dictator after 23 years in power.

Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia as the Tunisian revolution was gaining momentum.

/106