TUNISIANS NEVER expected the democratic journey to be easy. We are proud that our country is a beacon of hope in an otherwise chaotic region and that we have conducted two successive democratic transitions since the Arab Awakening. Yet, the recent deaths of 22 innocent people in the Bardo Museum terror attack in Tunis are a grim reminder of the work that lies ahead of us — work we are more resolved than ever to complete.
Against the motives of the cowardly terrorists who sought to derail our political process, the attack on Tunisia’s politically and culturally significant sites has only made us stronger and more united. After freeing ourselves of decades of tyranny, Tunisians will not be cowed into living in fear again.
Violent extremism is a multi-dimensional problem that has been decades in the making. We need to take urgent action to address the needs of young people who find themselves on the margins, who grew up in the shadow of repression and now are trying to cope with the painful transition period. We must offer them the promise of hope to ensure they have something to work for, not something to work against.
Tunisia has made remarkable progress in building the foundations of democracy, but there is much more to do — including the creation of jobs and sustainable development that will help lift all regions out of poverty. Unemployment and inequality are breeding grounds for anger and violence. Indeed, such anger drove our youth to rebel against Ben Ali, Tunisia’s former dictator whose despotic rule sparked the revolution. Our youth are still waiting to fulfill their expectations, and this requires massive policy reforms and the curbing of monopolies and corruption.
At the same time, we must urgently develop our security sector by engaging in reforms, improving equipment and training, and building better regional and international security cooperation. The Ennahdha-led government in 2013 outlawed the extremist Ansar al Sharia group, and ensured that those who try to violently impose their views on others are dealt with appropriately. Ennahdha, which means Renaissance, has also been advocating for the adoption of a new antiterrorism law and for a national conference to establish a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy.
It is important, however, that all measures be taken within the framework of respect for the law and human rights and that the country does not return to using the repressive methods that marked Ben Ali’s regime. Authoritarian measures that restrict freedoms and criminalize broad sectors of society only serve to undermine democratic processes, aggravate grievances, and produce long-term instability. Our respect for the rule of law and the new constitution that Tunisians worked so hard to achieve must persist.
We need to focus not just on a cure for violent extremism, but also a way to prevent such behavior. It is a complex phenomenon that requires social, cultural/religious, and political solutions. Confronting distorted interpretations of Islam that have no foundation or legitimacy is essential.
The solution to extremism is not less freedom, but more. The solution to terrorism is not repression of religion; but rather freedom of faith and conscience and the cultivation of moderate, balanced religious thought. We need to ensure that people understand the true teachings of Islam, not poisonous ideologies that misinterpret religion to justify violence and power struggles. Muslim democrats have an important role to play in combating the spread of extremist interpretations by supporting democracy and upholding democratic values.
Democratic Islam is the best antithesis to extremism. It challenges the black-and-white view put forward by extremists, and debunks their claims to authenticity by presenting an interpretation of Islam that is grounded in religious text and open to the needs and context of modern democratic life.
Religious extremists seek to force young people to choose between modernity and tradition, freedom and religion. We say no to those false choices. Young Muslims can fully enjoy their autonomy and freedom — and all the advantages of modern life — while remaining true to their religious values. These false choices continue to strangle development and progress in the Arab world, just like the false choice between stability and freedom that for decades was propagated by authoritarian rulers.
That the Tunisian model — harmony between Islam and democracy, security and human rights, stability and prosperity — succeeds is important not just for Tunisia, but for global security. Compromising democracy and human rights for stability and security is short-sighted and will only boost the long-term appeal of terrorist groups. Tunisians defeated decades of dictatorship, we can surely defeat terrorism. We remain strong.
Rached Ghannouchi is president of Tunisia’s Ennahdha party.
Related:
• Editorial: Tunisia becomes a beacon of hope
• Nicholas Burns: The Middle East at a tipping point
• Editorial: Tunisian government should pursue justice, keep freedom
• Ideas: How can America really promote democracy abroad?
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