13 March 2012: Such is the opinion of Imrana Jan, a prominent media representative of Hizb Ettahrir Britain - the "Party of Liberation." Jan came to Tunis to attend the party's international conference organized around the topic, "The Caliphate: a Shining Model for Women's Rights and Political Role," held on March 10th.
In Tunisia, Hizb Ettahrir is still not legally recognized as a political party. It was refused authorization shortly after the revolution, in accordance with a law banning parties based on religion and regionalism. Hizb Ettahrir has fueled ongoing debate in post-revolutionary Tunisia, both over its legalization as a party and in the general political and public discourse.
Delegations of women flew in from across the world to attend the event, hailing from countries as varied as Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Libya, Sudan, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Yemen.
"I have to say, it's a packed venue, we were over-subscribed," said Nazreen Nawaz, another central media representative of Hizb Ettahrir's branch office in Britain. Jan estimated that approximately 1,000 women were present at the conference. She was enthused to say that their event had received over 1,500 registrations, and they were consequently obliged to turn people down.
It seems that women attended the conference for different reasons - some to demonstrate their clear allegiance to the party, some out of mere curiosity, and others to test their own beliefs. A 28-year old radiologist from Nabeul, a city located in northeastern Tunisia, explained that she had come to the conference to gather arguments - as a sort of ammunition - to use when explaining her political and religious choices to her friends and family. She hoped to learn from the experiences, opinions, and arguments of the other women who were present that day.
To read the complete news please visit AllAfrica.com
13 March 2012: Such is the opinion of Imrana Jan, a prominent media representative of Hizb Ettahrir Britain - the "Party of Liberation." Jan came to Tunis to attend the party's international conference organized around the topic, "The Caliphate: a Shining Model for Women's Rights and Political Role," held on March 10th.
In Tunisia, Hizb Ettahrir is still not legally recognized as a political party. It was refused authorization shortly after the revolution, in accordance with a law banning parties based on religion and regionalism. Hizb Ettahrir has fueled ongoing debate in post-revolutionary Tunisia, both over its legalization as a party and in the general political and public discourse.
Delegations of women flew in from across the world to attend the event, hailing from countries as varied as Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Libya, Sudan, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Yemen.
"I have to say, it's a packed venue, we were over-subscribed," said Nazreen Nawaz, another central media representative of Hizb Ettahrir's branch office in Britain. Jan estimated that approximately 1,000 women were present at the conference. She was enthused to say that their event had received over 1,500 registrations, and they were consequently obliged to turn people down.
It seems that women attended the conference for different reasons - some to demonstrate their clear allegiance to the party, some out of mere curiosity, and others to test their own beliefs. A 28-year old radiologist from Nabeul, a city located in northeastern Tunisia, explained that she had come to the conference to gather arguments - as a sort of ammunition - to use when explaining her political and religious choices to her friends and family. She hoped to learn from the experiences, opinions, and arguments of the other women who were present that day.
To read the complete news please visit AllAfrica.com