Religion in Tunisia

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Islam is by far the dominant religion in Tunisia; 99% of Tunisians are Muslim. Minority religions include Christianity (25,000 adherents), Judaism (1,500 adherents), and Baha'i (200 adherents). The Constitution of Tunisia provides for freedom of religion unless it disturbs the public order; however, the Government imposes some restrictions on this right.

Mosque in Kairouan, Tunisia

[edit] Faiths

[edit] Islam

Main article: Islam in Tunisia

Ninety-nine percent of Tunisians are Muslim.^[1] Most of them are Sunni belonging to the Malikite madhhab, but a small number of Ibadhi Muslims (Kharijites) still exist among the Berber-speakers of Jerba Island. There is a small indigenous Sufi Muslim community; however, there are no statistics regarding its size. Reliable sources report that many Sufis left the country shortly after independence when their religious buildings and land reverted to the Government (as did those of Orthodox Islamic foundations). Although the Sufi community is small, its tradition of mysticism permeates the practice of Islam throughout the country. There is a small indigenous "Maraboutic" Muslim community that belongs to spiritual brotherhoods known as "turuq."^[1]

[edit] Christianity

The Christian community, composed of foreign residents and a small group of native-born citizens of European or Arab descent, numbers 25,000 and is dispersed throughout the country.^[1] There are 20,000 Catholics, 500 of whom regularly practice.^[1] The Roman Catholic Church in Tunisia, which forms the Diocese of Tunis, operates 12 churches, 9 schools, several libraries, and 2 clinics.^[1] In addition to holding religious services, the Catholic Church opened a monastery, freely organized cultural activities, and performed charitable work throughout the country.^[1] According to church leaders, there are 2,000 Protestant practicing Christians, including a few hundred citizens who have converted to Christianity.^[1] The Russian Orthodox Church has approximately 100 practicing members and operates a church in Tunis and another in Bizerte.^[1] The French Reform Church maintains a church in Tunis, with a congregation of 140 primarily foreign members.^[1] The Anglican Church has a church in Tunis with several hundred predominantly foreign members.^[1] There are 50 Seventh-day Adventists.^[1] The 30-member Greek Orthodox Church maintained 3 churches (in Tunis, Sousse, and Djerba).^[1] There are also 50 Jehovah's Witnesses, of whom half are foreign residents and half are native-born citizens.^[1] Occasionally, Catholic and Protestant religious groups held services in private residences or other locations.^[1]

[edit] Other religions

See also: History of the Jews in Tunisia

Judaism is the country's third largest religion with 1,500 members.^[1] One-third of the Jewish population lives in and around the capital, and is descended predominantly from Italian and Spanish immigrants.^[1] The remainder lives on the island of Djerba, where the Jewish community dates back 2,500 years.^[1]

There are 200 Baha'is in the country, and their presence dates back a century.^[1]

[edit] Freedom of religion

The Constitution of Tunisia provides for freedom of religion and the freedom to practice the rites of one's religion unless they disturb the public order; however, the Government imposes some restrictions on this right.^[1] The Constitution declares the country's determination to adhere to the teachings of Islam and stipulates that Islam is the official state religion and that the President must be Muslim.^[1] The Government does not permit the establishment of political parties on the basis of religion and prohibits efforts to proselytize Muslims.^[1] It restricts the wearing of Islamic headscarves (hijab) in government offices, and discourages women from wearing the hijab on public streets and at certain public gatherings.^[1] Although changing religions is legal, there is great societal pressure against conversion of Muslims to other religions.^[1]

The Government allows a small number of foreign religious charitable nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to operate and provide social services.^[1]

[edit] References