Confrontation at University of Literature and Human Sciences in Sousse due to Niqab

Moncef Ben Abd Jalil -the administrator of the University of Literature and Human Sciences of Sousse- made detailed statements on an incident regarding students in niqab, a face veil, registering at the university that was reported on Jawhara FM.

The administrator of the faculty clarified: “earlier this month we were in the middle of the process of enrolling the students, two female students showed up wearing niqab, and the university staff attempted to clarify the administration’s view of the niqab inside of the classroom. They illustrated that the niqab prevents the process of conveying the academic message and that neither professors nor students are able to communicate properly when the niqab is involved”.

On October 5th, according to Abd Jalil,  one girl wearing niqab -presumably – “defied” the law and wanted to enroll in the university regardless, manifesting rebellion and “disobedience”. She claimed that the law “deprives her from her prerogative to practice religious rituals.” Later on, two bearded men accompanying her, made noise in the university’s lobbies and disputed with students on the issue, who eventually asked them to leave. Upon their insistence on staying, the atmosphere grew gradually intense and 4 “jihadists” carrying weapons- knives, swords and gas bombs- broke into the campus and headed toward the offices of the administration “chanting” of slaughtering the crew. Despite the latter action caused “trepidation” and “terror” among several students they persisted in kicking the intruders out the campus. The administration “salutes” their effort Abd Jalil added. Upon this incident, professors signed a petition renouncing the event and stressing emphasis on the legitimacy of the law that prohibits niqab inside the university campus.

An eyewitness, Nabil Bilwaer, a student at the university, confirmed to Tunisia Live most of the administrator’s story and believes the debate was “violent” and “atrocious”. When informed about the weapons, however,  Nabil denied this and describe it as “allegation”. The student also finds it impossible to exclude political connotations from this incident.