Tunisian Islamists stress democracy, not hardline religious rule, as they open party congress
By Associated Press, Updated: Thursday, July 12, 1:59 PM
TUNIS, Tunisia — Tunisia’s ruling Islamists emphasized their commitment to a civil, democratic state — as opposed to one under hardline religious rule — as they opened on Thursday their first party congress since taking power.
The comments appear aimed at easing concerns of many in the opposition who fear an erosion of Tunisia’s secular, progressive heritage now that the moderate Islamist Ennahda Party is in charge.
The party invited leaders from across the Middle East, including Khaled Meshaal of the Palestinian Hamas movement, who entered the room to thunderous applause and cries of “the people want the liberation of Palestine.”
Tunisians overthrew a dictatorial regime last year, sparking similar movements across the Arab world and paving the way for October elections won handily by Ennahda. The party was banned under the previous government, and the four-day congress that began Thursday is the first it has been able to hold in public.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/tunisian-islamists-stress-democracy-not-hardline-religious-rule-as-they-open-party-congress/2012/07/12/gJQA1r0ZfW_story.html
