Tunisia
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Official name: Tunisian Republic |
DEMOGRAPHY
ECONOMY |
LIFE & LIBERTY |
Contents |
[edit] Geography
[edit] Location
- Tunisia is a country situated on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, midway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Nile Valley. It is bordered by Algeria in the west and Libya in the southeast. It is the northernmost African country and the smallest of the nations situated along the Atlas mountain range. Around 40% of the country is composed of the Sahara desert, with much of the remainder consisting of particularly fertile soil and a 1,300-kilometer coastline.
[edit] Region
[edit] Climate
[edit] Natural Resources
[edit] Demographics
[edit] Peoples
[edit] Provinces
- Tunis
- The city of Kairouan is the fourth most holy city in Islam ― many Muslims travel here in search of spiritual help or healing.
[edit] Life
- Tunisia is one of the most progressive societies in the Arab world but militant Islamists have become an issue of concern for the authorities. While the outward trappings of Islam are obvious, most people are more committed to secular dreams of wealth. Pray that the emptiness of religious posturing, spiritual apathy, and materialism might be exposed and replaced with spiritual hunger for Jesus.
[edit] Economy
[edit] Government
- Security and unity are the hallmarks of this country. Having had only two presidents in the past 50 years, Tunisia is marked by political stability and prosperity.
[edit] Terrorism:
- There is a general threat from terrorism in Tunisia. Attacks have occurred in places frequented by foreign travelers. The Tunisian authorities announced that they had disrupted a terrorist group on January 3, 2007 in the area of Grombalia (south of Tunis). Twelve of the group were killed and 15 arrested. It is believed the group was planning attacks against Western interests, including embassies. A group of German tourists was caught up in a terrorist suicide car bomb attack outside a synagogue on the island of Djerba on April 11, 2002, which resulted in 19 deaths. Al Qaeda later claimed responsibility for the attack.
- In December 2006 and January 2007, government forces disrupted a terrorist cell that allegedly targeted domestic and foreign interests in Tunisia. Six of those involved are thought to have entered Tunisia from Algeria, where they received training and support. Tunisian security forces killed 12 members of the group, reportedly called Assad Ibn Fourat’s Army, and captured 15 others. In December 2007, 30 individuals associated with the cell were convicted by the Tunis Court of First Instance of various terrorism-related charges. Lawyers have appealed the sentences, which ranged from death to five years imprisonment.
- The Tunisian government actively prevented the formation of terrorist groups inside Tunisia, including prohibiting the formation of religious-based political parties and groups that it believed would pose a terrorist threat. Hundreds of other suspected terrorists were reportedly detained, charged, and/or convicted under Tunisia’s 2003 Terrorism Law and other relevant legislation.
- Tunisian extremists were also involved in terrorist activities abroad, including in Algeria, Italy, Iraq, and Lebanon. Domestically, the government worked to improve security procedures at borders and airports. In April 2007, 12 Tunisians were convicted of planning to travel to Algeria to join Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. A number of Tunisians suspected of involvement in terrorist incidents abroad were also repatriated and subsequently charged with or convicted of terrorist activities.
- In November 2007, Tunisia hosted an international conference on terrorism organized by the Islamic International Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization. The concluding statement of the conference, which was attended by over 100 international officials and opened by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Tunisian President Ben Ali, stressed the role of education and economic development in defeating terrorism. During the year, Tunisia also hosted several meetings of Ministry of Interior officials from Arab League members, including ministers and chiefs of counterterrorism units, to review regional mapcounterterrorism efforts and cooperation.
[edit] Religion
- Tunisia is comprised of 99.7% Muslims and only 0.2% of the population are Christians. Although Islam is the state religion, the government wants the country to be more secular, so more people prefer to worship money rather than Allah or Jesus. In this sort of environment, where most religions are not tolerated, it is hard to share the Gospel. The Tunisian government recognizes all Christian religious organizations that were established before independence in 1956, but did not permit other Christian groups to establish new churches. Efforts to proselytize Muslims were viewed as disturbing the public order and thus illegal. Foreign missionaries operated in the country, but were not permitted to proselytize.
- Tunisia appears to be a Muslim country, but all this is just an appearance – it doesn’t reflect actual belief or commitment. In reality people are pursuing dreams of earning more money and doing better for themselves. May this spiritual emptiness be replaced with a desire to find out more about the God who created them and loves them.
[edit] Islam
[edit] Buddhism
[edit] Christianity
[edit] History
[edit] Churches
- It is relatively easy to talk with Tunisians about the Gospel, though many do not show interest in spiritual things. Some who have experienced healing and deliverance in the name of Christ acknowledge that Jesus has changed their lives, yet still do not commit their lives to him. Others profess faith and then do not commit themselves. There are shining examples of committed individual disciples, but few truly indigenous house churches although a small. There is a small national church, with a handful of recognised local leaders. The church is composed mostly of well educated people who are more westernised than the majority of the population. The vast majority of believers and Christian workers live in the capital of Tunis. There are few believers, few workers, and very few gatherings of believers outside the capital city. In recent times a few believers have established residency in least four new cities and provincial capitals which previously had little or no Christian presence.
[edit] Church and State Relations
[edit] Mission
[edit] Persecution
- Though direct persecution and arrests by the police are rare, many believers do live in fear of ostracism by their friends and families. The fear of persecution rather than the persecution itself is a major issue for most believers.
[edit] Broadcasting
- The media, and especially Arabic satellite TV programming plays an important role in reaching vast parts of the country.
[edit] Councils and Networks
[edit] Future Trends
[edit] For More Reading
