Poor Islamic teaching may drive Tunisia radicalisation

Subject

Prospects for Tunisian religious education.

Significance

Religious radicalisation constitutes a key challenge to Tunisia’s fragile democracy. Contributing factors include socioeconomic alienation and a history of political marginalisation and repression. However, larger deficiencies within the religious sector have made some people particularly vulnerable to radicalisation: state-led opportunities for Islamic learning are rare and, in some locations, entirely absent.

Impacts

• Deficiencies in religious education will provide a fertile ground for foreign Islamic actors to gain influence.
• Religious associations and schools will continue to depend on financial support from Saudi Arabia.
• Rapid urbanisation will further boost mosque growth and demand for teachers.