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2010-06-25

Is Tunisian media discourse on religion too 'superficial'?

By Houda Trabelsi for Magharebia in Tunis – 25/06/10

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A government policy that encourages imams to deliver messages of compassion and moderation in mosques and the media is sparking debate among Tunisians.

Religious Affairs Minister Boubaker El Akzhouri hosted a workshop in May that encouraged imams to spread the values of harmony, compassion and co-operation during Friday prayers and in their radio and television programmes.

"It is a sound discourse that rejects extremism and promotes moderation," said Laila Moubarki, a professor of Islamic studies.

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"The adopted method is the closest to the viewers' mentalities, because they're from different groups and have different educational backgrounds," she said.

Moubarki praised Sheikh Mohamed Macfer, a popular host of religious radio and TV programmes, for his "simple and moderate approach that doesn't contradict the religion or public preferences".

"The Tunisian religious discourse in the media uses an educational approach, which is easy to understand and accessible to all social groups, especially the lower class," fellow professor Zied Kilani told Magharebia.

Kilani said Macfer "uses colloquial language that's familiar to the average citizen" and has a style that "matches the moderate way of practising Islam in Tunisia".

But others are critical of the media's approach to religion.

"The religious discourse is sporadic, serves those in power only and is a customised discourse for the minority," lawyer Chawki Abd Ennahar told Magharebia.

Religious programmes "make no difference, and they don't relate to Muslims in Tunisia or in other countries", he added.

Mohamed, a reporter who covers religion, called the mainstream media's discussion of religious affairs "superficial", adding that it is "very simplistic" and closely monitored by the state.

The religious media "can be used to educate the youth, and assist the society in adopting moderation when exercising their religion in Tunisia", added the reporter, who asked that his last name be withheld to protect his privacy.

Lobna Oun, a viewer of religious programming, told Magharebia that she does not watch Tunisian shows because the hosts "are not qualified, unlike the ones on the Middle Eastern and Arab Gulf satellite channels".

Oun said she refuses to watch Sheikh Macfer because his discourse is "simple, and he uses a lot of jokes, and the colloquial and sordid language".

Hosts should use respect and accuracy when delivering the religious message, she added.

Sheik Macfer told Magharebia that he adopted his particular style in order to reach out to young people.

"I spend a lot of time thinking about the approach I'll use to help the youth love God and his Prophet, and about a kind of language that will attract them, not push them away," he said, adding that he once used a doll and a piece of cloth to show youth the proper way to wash the dead.

"I review the references of Andalusia's scholars who are known for their moderation and enlightenment, and I watch the satellite channels and films and discuss their content during seminars at the mosque," Macfer said.

"We always assert that the Qur'an and sunnah are for all times and places, if only Muslims get the message," he added.

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    نهي التونسية 2010-10-24

    I am a Tunisian woman and proud to belong to Green Tunisia. Viva Zine Al Abidine our respectable president Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali. Anyone who says he is a dictator should know that dictatorship is the act of insulting people without evidence. This is what we call insult. We love our president and respect his decisions. Anyone who says he is a dictator should know he is one of the best residents. Whom of you people enjoys peace and security we enjoy? There is no Arab country which enjoys security we have. Suffice it that the United Nations accepted the Tunisian initiative to celebrate 2010 as the international youth year. This is a decision sufficient to confirm that his Excellency is sure young people are the solution and pillar of the future for the progress of Green Tunisia. Through celebrating this year, he took care of all concerns of young people from employment, health, education and other sectors. Everyone knows Tunisian people are the most skilled in languages. This is because we found out that openness to others is important but while preserving Arab identity. Islam is our religion, Arabic is our language but far from extremism and terrorism. most Arab countries complain of terrorism, extremism, wars and social classes. I am sure everyone of you wishes to be Tunisian to enjoy security. Tunisian people know how to deal with other people without extremism or racism. Enough, who are you to make such judgments about our presidents! What you said is absurd. We love our presidents. But it seems there are some traitors, who are they to insult their masters? You have to be ashamed of yourselves! Viva Tunisia and viva Zine Al Abidine!

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    وليد 2010-7-20

    Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you. Abou Houraira, God bless him, said: The Messenger of God, peace and prayer be upon him, said: “Some misleading years will come for people in which the liar will be believed and the honest mistrusted. The traitor will be trusted and the trustworthy mistrusted. The Rouyaibida will speak out”, it was asked “Oh Messenger of God, who is Rouyaibida?” he said. “The idle man who speaks on public." No comment!

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    Malika 2010-6-27

    Mr. Minister Boubaker El Akzhouri and MR. Ben Ali stop you dictatorial regime against your people, maybe God will forgive you.

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    Meriem 2010-6-27

    We , Tunisians , have enough of this betrayers, they are not good, not for earth not for heaven .We have enough of this crazy liers. Christianty know the islam more than 1400 don't joke with them.

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    Mohamed 2010-6-27

    Mr. Ben Ali use the islam for his own propose. For the Tunsian people he is a lonely dictator, not more than that. An the day he will collapese, Tunsia will be FREE.

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    Essid 2010-6-26

    What Tunisia is experiencing now is not very different from what Europe experienced 500 years ago with Catholicism. In short, the Pope demanded people give pay tribute to him, taking their money, land and even lives. He made their lives so very desperate that their thoughts became extreme. In order to handle this, he then told them that they would go to Hell if they acted in extreme ways (i.e., if they took vengeance on the religious-political system he ruled.) In Tunisia, Ben Ali is not the head of the mosques like the Pope is with the churches, but he is the head of the head of the mosques inasmuch as he controls the Ministry of Religious Affairs. As such, he has pretty much the same power. He can rob, oppress and murder the people and then tell them that if they think anything extreme, something that people in such conditions are bound to do, they will go to Hell. As I have said and will continue to say, I do not support violence unless it is to prevent further, malicious violence. But, I do hope that people see this for what it is – another ideological tool for oppressing people. We need to go out on the streets and demand direct control in the government. We need a participatory democracy. A revolution will do nothing, because the next leader will be the same. But, if we demand change in this government so that we can directly participate in decision-making and the enforcement of those decisions, we can have real change. However, these imams are just a superficial solution to insecurities Ben Ali and those in his cohort in oppressing the people.

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