Page 159 - The Winter of Islam and the Spring to Come

HARUN YAHYA (ADNAN OKTAR)
157

became an Islamic nation, and by
the end of the seventh century the SICILY
whole population was Muslim. It
changed rulers many times after
MEDITERRANEAN
that, but real peace and security SEA
in Tunisia began in 1547 with
ALGERIA
Ottoman rule. Tunisia was a TUNISIA
province of the Ottoman Empire
and maintained that status until LIBYA
1881. Contrary to the dictatorial
mode of administration in
Western civilizations, Ottoman
rule was based on peace and com-
passion, both features of Islam.
Alongside the Muslim Arabs who made up the majority of the popula-
tion, various ethnic and religious groups such as Berbers and Jews lived
together in peace and brotherhood during this tranquil time in Tunisia.
This peaceful era continued until the French occupation of 1881.

The Bloody History of French Colonialism
France governed Tunisia by means of governors known as "senior
commissars." Just like in Algeria, a policy of great cruelty thus began.
All opposition movements and activities in support of independence
were bloodily suppressed. Leaders of Islamic movements which fa-
vored independence, and those who supported them, came under vio-
lent pressure, and a great many of them were detained and subjected to
torture.
France did not find it easy to halt the protests and put down the re-
bellions of the Tunisian people, with their powerful Islamic awareness.
Just like all other colonialist countries, it therefore resorted to puppet
governments. It brought over the Destour Party, originally set up to
fight for independence, to its own side. It installed one of its most reli-
able men to head it: Habib Bourguiba.