Tunisian activist publishes video 'insulting' Islam

The political and media consultant of the Tunisian ministry of religious endowments has said he hopes the government will ask the French authorities to prosecute French-based Tunisian opposition activist Jalal Ben Brik, on charges of "offending the Islamic religion and attacking the sentiments of Arab and Muslims". Ben Brik on Friday, on his official Facebook page, published a video that was apparently offensive to the Islamic religios, Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) and God using while supposedly praising the US and Israel.  Ali el-Lafi commented on this video in an exclusive statement to Arabstoday: “These statements are dangerous and unprecedented for the Tunisian people and an insult to the Islamic identity of Tunisians." "It is a repetition of dirty practices by some people in certain European countries (referring to the offensive cartoons published in a Danish newspaper that caused furore across the Muslim world). The consequences and reactions of public opinion will be severe and violent." The political and media consultant of the Tunisian ministry of endowments said : “The ministry of religious affairs condemns these shameful and dangerous statements," calling on civil society and professional organisations to criticise the video. Lafi added: "The media must condemn this act. Programmes and dialogues should tackle and discuss topics related to this horrible incident.” He said Brik was "known for insults" through his weekly columns in newspapers. "He also belongs to an anarchistic leftist faction after leaving the left party...this profanity directed at the Holy Prophet will not be forgotten," he said. Calls on Facebook have urged the handover of Ben Brik to the Tunisian authorities to prevent the Muslim community in France from taking revenge itself. The video was slammed by many political parties in Tunisia, including left-wing parties, who called the leftist activsit "mentally ill" and "in need of a psychiatrist". Mohammed Mzam , a member of the executive bureau of the Communist Workers' Party, said :"This person was mentally ill..the media should not give him attention, he is a source of ridicule." He explained in a statement to Arabstoday that "the political discourse in Tunisia has enabled these phenomena to emerge, asserting that "radical ideology of Jalal Ben Brik does not reflect the attitude of the Communist Workers' Party towards matters of faith". The Sabah News newspaper quoted an official from the government as saying: "This person is insane and seeks to draw attention to himself. He should be legally punished for insulting God and the Prophet and the Quran which are considered a red line that should not be bypassed. " The source, who did not disclose his identity, added that Jalal Brik is lucky because his enemies are people who are patient. The ruling Islamist Ennahda movement in Tunisia stated : "The statements made by Jalal Ben Brik cursing and insulting the Prophet and God  show his abnormal personality and aggressive hate for Islam." Ennahda media spokesman Faisal Nasr said: "This person is mentally ill and seeks to create discord among people though his videos...the Tunisia people will not let their values be insulted.. The extreme leftist should not repeat such abuses." Jalal Ben Brik is an internet celebrity known for his political commentary on videos, and gained prominence during the Tunisian revolution. He claims to be an opponent of "political Islam". Brik is known for presenting his views on Tunisia through his videos and has a reputation of using controversial language. This is the first time that Brik, who presents himself as a permanent opponent of the Tunisian regims since the sixties, has insulted Islam.