22 January 2014

Assembly Floor Erupts Over Constitution Article on Religion

.... Article 6, as passed originally, says the “state protects religion, guarantees freedom of belief and conscience and religious practices, protects sanctities, and ensures the neutrality of mosques and places of worship from partisan instrumentalisation.” (Click for a full English translation of the draft constitution)

The text was then amended, however, on January 5 after a dispute between leftist member Monji Rahoui and Islamist member Habib Ellouz, with the latter calling Rahoui an “enemy of Islam” while on a radio program.

Rahoui claimed the remark caused him to receive death threats. The assembly then amended Article 6 to include a ban on takfir, or accusing someone of being a nonbeliever, and as well as a ban on “inciting violence.” [Tunisia Live] Read more