Ennahda Condemns Sousse Attack

Updated as of July 10

On June 26, a gunman identified as Seifeddine Rezgui attacked the Tunisian beach resort of Sousse and killed more than 38 people, mainly foreign tourists. ISIS – also known as ISIL, Daesh, or the Islamic State – claimed responsibility for the attack. More than 3,000 Tunisians have reportedly traveled to Iraq and Syria to join ISIS - more than any other country. It was not immediately clear, however, whether the gunman had a connection with ISIS.

The attack in Sousse coincided with two other extremist attacks on June 26. A suicide bomber killed at least 27 people in Kuwait, and a truck driver with extremist ties beheaded his employer in France. Authorities have not determined whether the three incidents were connected.But the attacks followed a June 23 announcement from ISIS spokeman Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, who called for violence during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. “Make Ramadan a month of disasters for the kuffar [infidels]," he said.

Ennahda, Tunisia’s largest Islamist party, strongly condemned the attacks. Ennahda leader Rachid Ghannouchi distanced the attack from Islam and called for new security measures. “We must protect security but also freedom,” he said. “The two are not mutually exclusive.” He made similar remarks in an Ennahda press briefing on July 8.The following are excerpted remarks from Ghannouchi on the Sousse attack and extremism in Tunisia.

#Ghannouchi: Islam is innocent of such crimes. These criminals are inspired by " the management of savagery" not the Quran

— Ennahdha Party (@EnnahdhaParty) June 27, 2015

#Ghannouchi: Tunisians whose state was founded thousands of years ago will not allow terrorists to destroy it

— Ennahdha Party (@EnnahdhaParty) June 27, 2015

#Ghannouchi: Tunisians are determined to defeat terrorism and will not allow terrorists to destroy their dreams of freedom & prosperity

— Ennahdha Party (@EnnahdhaParty) June 27, 2015

#Ghannouchi: measures must be taken to address security failures and ensure such tragedies are not repeated

— Ennahdha Party (@EnnahdhaParty) June 27, 2015

#Ghannouchi: We must protect security but also freedom - the two are not mutually exclusive. #SousseAttack#Tunisia#TunisiaAttack

— Ennahdha Party (@EnnahdhaParty) June 27, 2015

#Ghannouchi: #Sousse terrorist attack was not against a hotel but was felt in our hearts. #SousseAttack#Tunisia#TunisiaAttack

— Ennahdha Party (@EnnahdhaParty) June 27, 2015

#Ghannouchi: We call on Tunisians living abroad to contribute by supporting tourism and spending their holidays at #Tunisia's hotels #Sousse

— Ennahdha Party (@EnnahdhaParty) June 27, 2015

#Ghannouchi: Combating terrorism is also the duty of politicians, academics, artists & religious leaders. #SousseAttack#Tunisia

— Ennahdha Party (@EnnahdhaParty) June 27, 2015

#Ghannouchi: We need to mobilise nationally against this global scourge. #Tunisia#Sousse#SousseAttack

— Ennahdha Party (@EnnahdhaParty) June 27, 2015

#Ghannouchi: Terrorism is targeting the democratic transition by undermining the economy and the morale of security forces & all Tunisians

— Ennahdha Party (@EnnahdhaParty) June 27, 2015

“The Tunisian people are healing their wounds and they send a message to terrorism that they are united.”

“We are all against terrorism.”

“The terrorists have no relation with religion, nor dignity, nor humanity but with brutality.”

“Do not link terrorism with Islam. This barbaric act contradicts Islam and Islamic principles.”

“Terrorism threatens tourism and everything beautiful in Tunisia. The terrorists have targeted the state, the revolution, and the Islamic principles but we will prevail over them.”

“Tunisia is a 3,000-year-old state and terrorism will not succeed in destroying it. All Tunisians are invested in confronting terrorism.”

“There is no way this catastrophe can be exploited for political purposes.”
— July 8, 2015 in a press briefing

Click here for more information on Islamist movements in Tunisia