Simon Slama, Jewish man running for office for Tunisia's Islamist party

2018-04-29 05:52:54

(MENAFN) Simon Slama and his family are the only Jews left in the Tunisian city of Monastir, once home to a thriving Jewish community. But instead of joining the exodus, he is running for office - as a candidate of Tunisia's Islamist party.

Slama's candidacy with the Ennahdha party in May municipal elections is causing a sensation in this overwhelmingly Muslim country.

Comrades in the Ennahdha party say that Slama is the suitable choice to represent Monastir - a symbolic town for Tunisians as it is the birthplace of Habib Bourguiba, the father of the country's independence.

"He comes from an ancient family. He has his roots in Monastir". and he knows the town's problems," says Chokri ben Janet, who heads the party's candidate list in the town.

"Ennahdha has changed its strategy - it is no longer a religious party, it is a civil party," he says.

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