Extremism needs more than security solution

Tunisian Interior Minister, Ali Larayedh, said that the security solution to religious extremism is not the most appropriate solution while Minister of Endowments asserted that addressing the abuses in some mosques are not the responsibility of his ministry but of the Interior Ministry. He said, during a session between members from the Government and the National Constituent Assembly that the solution for fanaticism and religious extremism is not limited to the security aspect but the cultural and religious ideology of the citizens should be amended to spread the values of moderation and tolerance. Tunisia has been witnessing a remarkable surge of Salafi violence in the last few months especially in mosques such as the violent clashes in a mosque in Beja between two Salafi groups where tear gas and knives were used during the clashes which was ignited by a disagreement over a member breaking fast early. Tunisian Minister of Endowments, Noureddine Alkhadmi said in a press conference held Wednesday morning "solving the phenomenon of violence in mosques is not the prerogative of my ministry but it is the Interior Ministry who has the right to use force in order to impose respect for law." On the other hand, Ali Larayedh said that the security situation in Tunisia has improved and is moving towards stability thanks to the effective intervention of security to reduce crime and demonstrations which decreased from 1,651 in May to 896 during June and down to 682 in July. The minister considered the security situation linked to the citizen's confidence in the political sector and its commitment to development program. He praised the efforts of security forces to spread security and stability that respects human rights and gives top priority to the law.