Al-Ghannouchi, Our Hero in Tunisia

Rashid Al-Ghannouchi
Rashid Al-Ghannouchi, 71 years, was co-founder of the Ennahda Movement which is now Tunisia’s largest political party. A philosophy graduate of Damascus University, he moved to Syria following the expulsion of Tunisians from Egypt where he was studying in 1964. A writer of the first order, Al-Ghannouchi has had enormous influence in religious and political thought throughout the region.
In 1981, Al-Ghannouchi founded Islamic Tendency which was defined by non-violence and called for a more equitable society, political pluralism and democracy. Within months he was arrested, tortured and imprisoned. He would become a political exile in Europe and vocal opponent of the regime at home.
“We used the police to keep order before. Today we’re not resorting to violence. People are free to do what they want, so they are learning how to exercise their freedom in a responsible way.”
A key figure in Tunisia’s post Arab Spring democratic transition, Al-Ghannouchi was instrumental in allaying fears that the void would be filled by radical Islam. He offered a vision of an inclusive political movement but one that was rooted in Islam. After election success he proposed a secular partner as president (Moncef Marzouki – one of our Autumn 2012 Heroes) and took no office for himself.
You may have an interest in also reading…
Sally Blount: A Social Psychologist’s Touch
Prof. Sally Blount is the dean of Kellogg School of Management. Kellogg is very much seen as a competitor to
World Bank on Social Protection in Africa: Can Safety Nets Close the Poverty Gap in Burkina Faso and Ensure Family Welfare?
With focused and courageous policy decisions, Burkina Faso’s government can cover the country’s poor with an effective and efficient safety
Otaviano Canuto, World Bank Group: Commodity Super Cycle to Stick Around a Bit Longer
Some analysts have predicted that the commodity price boom has played itself out. However, natural resource-based commodity prices (with the