Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Threats to secularism in Tunisia

"The insults were furious. “Infidel!” and “Apostate!” the religious protesters shouted at the two men who had come to the courthouse to show their support for a television director on trial on charges of blasphemy. Fists, then a head butt followed."  Yes, Shadid is right: this conflict will intensify but the other side (the secularists) are not passive and not taking it on the chin.  They are fighting back and defiantly.  Salafites are being mocked in the popular cultures of Egypt and Tunisia.