TUNIS – Thousands of Tunisians turned out yesterday to welcome home an Islamist leader whose return from 22 years of exile suggested that his party could emerge as a major force in Tunisia after the ousting of its president.
The reception for Sheikh Rachid Ghannouchi, leader of the Ennahda party, at Tunis airport was the biggest showing by the Islamists in two decades, during which thousands of them were jailed or exiled by president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.
Sheikh Ghannouchi was exiled in 1989 by Mr Ben Ali, who was toppled on January 14th. Ennahda is expected to contest future legislative but not presidential elections, dates for which have yet to be set.
The Islamists were Tunisia’s strongest opposition force at the time Mr Ben Ali cracked down on them in 1989 but are thought not to have played a leading role in the popular revolt.
But at Tunis airport yesterday, they were out in force.
Up to 10,000 young men and veiled women packed the arrival hall and car park. Some climbed trees and electricity pylons to catch a glimpse of the 69-year-old Sheikh Ghannouchi, who says he has no ambition to run for office.
“Oh great people who called for this blessed revolution, continue your revolution, preserve it and translate it into democracy, justice and equality,” the sheikh told the crowd, to chants of “Allahu Akbar”[God is the greatest].
Ennahda supporters embraced each other in joy. A group of men said prayers on a grass verge, a scene unthinkable in Tunisia just a few weeks ago.
Ennahda likens its ideology to that of Turkey’s ruling AK Party, saying it is committed to democracy. Its ideas are considered to be some of the most moderate among Islamist groups.
Tunisia has imposed a secular order since independence from France. Habib Bourguiba, the independence leader and long-time president, considered Islam a threat to the state. – (Reuters)