| Abstract: | This study of the history and intellectual growth of Islamic fundamentalism in Tunisia begins with a theoretical introduction on Islam and fundamentalism. Then it sets out the most significant phases in the evolution of Tunisian fundamentalism from the first murmurings in 1969-1970: under the protection of official Islam, 1960-1972; borrowings from the Moslem Brothers, 1972-1977; politicization, 1979-1981; repression, 1981-1987; from the end of Bourguiba to the general elections of April 1989. The author argues that the turning point in the history of Tunisian political Islam was 1978, a year marked by two dramatic events: on the one hand, the bloody suppression of the general strike, and on the other, the 'triumph' of the Iranian Revolution. The final section of the study deals with fundamentalist language and the centrality of ideology in the fundamental movement. The author sees evidence of 'double talk', located at the intersection between an authoritarian ideological structure and the political pragmatism of a movement responsive to the expectations of public opinion. To break out of that gridlock is not possible without coming to terms with the paradox of a national cultural renewal. Bibliogr., chronol., notes, ref. |
Islam in Africa 
Book chapter
Leiden University catalogue
WorldCat
