Ghannouchi’s True Colors

The Arab Spring began in Tunisia last year, and the new ruling Ennahda party, commonly referred to as the “moderate Islamist party”, is still the widely acclaimed hope for the future. Its leader, Sheikh Rachid Ghannouchi, has maintained his moderate image in image — until someone leaked a video recording of what he actually says when he talks to his fellow Salafists.

Many thanks to Michael Laudahn for the translation, and to Vlad Tepes for the subtitling:

Below is an article about this video from ANSAmed:

Tunisia: Leaked Video Belies Ghannouchi’s Moderate Image

Video and audio possibly leaked by Salafists

(ANSAmed) - TUNIS, OCTOBER 11 - Leaked video and audio recordings of Sheikh Rachid Ghannouchi, leader of Tunisia’s ruling Ennahda party, are causing the moderate Islamist politician a headache.

Leaked yesterday on Facebook, possibly by Salafist sources, the video allegedly shows Ghannouchi in a meeting with two Salafist leaders, in which he decries secular control of Tunisian media, economy and police. The audio recording, which was leaked on Thursday, purports to be of a February conversation on constitutional reform between Ghannouchi and Salafist leader Sheikh Bechir Ben Hassen, a member of the Tunisian League of Muslim Scholars.

“The rule of law is based on power and not on the Constitution,” Ghannouchi allegedly said. “We must instil the Islamic spirit in the people. We must take the time to educate our youth, to spread a global Islamic consciousness. That is when the people themselves will demand sharia law.”

Hat tip for the article: Insubria.