History
 Over the centuries Tunisia has been ruled by a number of
empires, from the Phoenicians and Romans to the
Ottoman Turks and the French.
 Tunisia declared independence from France in 1956.
Government
 Ben Ali ruled Tunisia as president until he was forced to
flee the country in 2011 following the Tunisian
Revolution.
 Elections in October 2011 saw the Islamist party Ennahda
win the most votes but fall short of an outright majority.
 A coalition with two secularist parties will govern until
new elections are held for permanent institutions.
Religion
 Islam is the state religion and the constitution stipulates that the President must be Muslim.
 Around 98% of Tunisia is Sunni Muslim, with a 1% Christian population and a significant Jewish minority.
 Proselytizing in public is forbidden, although non-Muslim religions are allowed on condition that they do not disturb
public order.
 Conversion from Islam to another religion is not forbidden but is frowned upon and there are reports of discrimination
in employment and academic opportunities on the basis of religion.
 The government formally recognises only the Catholic Church as a religious minority, but allows other denominations
to register.
 There is much social and familial pressure placed upon local believers, which discourages many from following their
faith openly.
Connecting you to the Christians of the Middle East and North Africa