Several Tunisian politicians and members of non-governmental organisations expressed unhappiness with Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi's visit to Tunisia this week. The protesters called the chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars "a symbol of intolerant salafist ideology." Al-Qaradawi arrived in Kairouan on Sunday (March 8th) to participate in "Kairouan: Capital of Muslim Culture in 2009" celebrations.
"We express strong unhappiness with a policy that honours and celebrates a symbol of intolerant salafist ideology, who is known for attacking our country, especially the gains of Tunisian women," said a statement issued by the Association of Democratic Women on Wednesday.
The protesters said al-Qaradawi is known for harbouring a "hidden enmity towards Tunisia". In his 2001 book, entitled "Secular Extremism in the Face of Islam: Tunisia and Turkey as Examples", al-Qaradawi accused the Tunisian authorities of hostility towards Islam and Muslims. He also accused one of Tunisia's most prominent poets, Saghir Oulad Ahmed, of being an infidel. Ahmed then filed a lawsuit against al-Qaradawi, but according to human rights sources in Tunisia, the courts have yet to examine the case.
"We can't forget that he has previously attacked Tunisia," said Mondher Thabet, Secretary-General of the Liberal Social Party, "and it was shameful behaviour in which he used maximum degrees of violence."
Thabet said that he did not shake al-Qaradawi's hand because he wanted to make his point clear.
Kairouan was selected to be the capital of Muslim culture for the year 2009 by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO). The city, situated some 150 kilometres southeast of Tunis, is "on the forefront of Arab and Muslim cities in North Africa with a glorified history and distinguished, rich contributions in the service of Arab and Muslim culture," ISESCO said.
Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi attended the opening ceremony on behalf of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who had taken will with the flu and was unable to attend, according to the official Tunisian news agency.
Not all of the reaction to al-Qaradawi's visit was negative. The head of banned Islamist Ennahda Movement, Rashed Ghanouchi, issued a statement from London in which he expressed the movement's "joy over the visit by distinguished scientist sheikh al-Qaradawi."
"The organising committee of the celebration should allow the Tunisian audiences who are eager to meet with Sheikh al-Qaradawi and to directly listen to him have enough opportunities for that and not to just restrict the occasion to festivities."
Adel Chaouch, an MP representing the opposition Attajdid movement, said that he was surprised by al-Qaradawi's visit because of his previous position on Tunisia. But he also said that al-Qaradawi could correct the mistakes of the past. "I personally will welcome him if he can revisit his ideas. I don't consider him to be revolutionary or an enemy of regimes."