Rashid al-Ghannushi Quotes & Sayings

“No one in al-Nahda believes that jihad is a way to impose Islam on the world. But we believe that jihad is self-control, is social and political struggle, and even military jihad is only a way to defend oneself in the case of aggression.”

“French laicite is probably aggressive and antagonistic to the religion, but there are other models of secularism in the world where there could be reconciliation between religion and secularism.”

“Just like in medicine, when the normal medicine no longer works, one resorts to surgery. And the revolutions is like the surgery: It's painful, and it's the last resort for nations.”

“I dream of a free, democratic, peaceful Tunisia, a country that can protect its developing identity.”

“I believe democracy will succeed in Tunisia, but I also believe that it will succeed in the other Arab Spring countries.”

“In our modern age - in the age of free information - I don't think there is any place for dictatorships.”

“There are common denominators that unite all members of al-Nahda: There is no one in al-Nahda who doubts about Islam There is no one in al-Nahda that believes in extremist views of Islam.”

“Under Tunisian law, a woman can divorce her husband. Total equality.”

“Al-Nahda is a movement; it is not just a small party.”

“I hope that with the success of the transition to democracy in Tunisia that we will export to Egypt a working democratic model.”