AFTERMATH OF ARABS SPRING: UNDERSTANDING LESSON IN TUNISIA

Prepared by Jufitri Joha, Vice President of International Affairs, ABIM.

First of all, Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM) would like to express congratulation on formation of the recent Unity Government consisting of three main political parties led by the Islamic Party of An-Nahdah. We also welcome the election of Mr. Moncef Marzouki as a president of Tunisia and Mr. Hamadi Jebali as the Tunisian Prime Minister. Since it was the first free and fair elections ever conducted in the Arab world, Tunisia could be the best example for the rest of the Arab world. Tunisia in other word should be the leading example for the solid foundation of democratic and progressive within the Arabs World.

At the same times, Tunisian elections signify the end to the era of repressive and autocratic form of government since almost all the modern countries in the world already embrace democracy. At this point, ABIM specifically grants its special thanks and congratulation towards Sheikh Rachid Ghannouchi, the Leader of An Nahdah Party for leading An Nahdah towards victory with about 40 % of the vote in Tunisia’s election. Sheikh Rachid is an astute and seasoned politician who always learn from the past history.

He had been in exiled for almost 22 years in Britain. During those periods, 25 000 activists were jailed after An Nahdah was banned. Sheikh Rachid formulate a more middle and progressive way in introducing a new model for the world namely Islamist and pro democracy modern, open and consensual, an antidote to the western notion of a clash of civilizations.

He also stresses on imitating Turkish, Indonesian and Malaysian model that combine Islam and modernity which eventually lead towards a subtle process of Islamization without any bloodshed and upheavals. In other words he believes in educating the people first rather than pushing for the power for change. He offers the idea of power sharing and collective responsibility,by inviting both the Republic and Ettakatol Parties to form the unity government.

As a statesman, Sheikh Rachid took a sincere and gentlemen approach by stating that he is not interested in personal power or the presidency and he did in fact walk the talk by not contesting in the recent election. For him, the people Tunisian’s reform agenda is more important in contrast with any personal agenda.

Since the historic moment and dramatic reform on January the 17, we believe with this kind of new unity government will prompt to restore the stability and the most important task to bring about prosperity and positive change for the betterment of the Tunisian at large.