Faux
False-Did the official tunisian authorities call for Jihad in Palestine?
Faux
False-Did the official tunisian authorities call for Jihad in Palestine?
In response to the wishes expressed by our readers and their requests, we have carried out this special translation of articles from the Arabic language into English.We’ve also provided all the necessary updates.
This text is a translation of the article published on October 17th, titled’’هل دعت الجهات التونسية الرّسمية إلى الجهاد في فلسطين ’’
Several social media pages, including the page "El-Furnaj Heartbeat of the Capital," have circulated a report claiming "Tunisia opens the door for Jihad against the Zionist entity in support of Palestine, declaring Jihad an individual duty. Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest."
The post was accompanied by a statement attributed to an individual named Hussein Al-Abidi, signed in his name, dated October 10, 2023, titled "Statement on the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation in support of the Jihad in Palestine as an individual religious duty for all Muslims."
At the top of the statement was written: "The Tunisian Republic, the Sheikdom of the Grand Mosque and its branches, the University of Al-Zaytouna Al-Ma'mur."
The statement also bore the seal of "The Legal Committee for the Department of Disputes - Administration of the Original Zaytouna Education - The Teaching and Sciences Committee." The statement mentioned in its third point, "Supporting and aiding Jihad in Palestine is an individual duty for all Muslims, each according to his ability and capacity, and the least of faith is to make supplications."
Many social media users, especially among the youth, expressed their desire to go to Jihad in the Palestinian territories, under the impression that the statement was issued by official Tunisian authorities.
Upon investigating the report that "Tunisia opens the door for Jihad against the Zionist entity and in support of Palestine, declaring Jihad a mandatory duty," it has been found to be false.
In the initial stage of verification, the 'TuniFact' team used Google's search engine, entering the following keywords: "Tunisia opens the door of Jihad in Palestine - Tunisia opens the door of Jihad against the Zionist entity - Tunisia calls for support of Palestine and declares Jihad a duty."
Some articles were found republished on electronic sites that had reformulated the statement by Hussein Al-Abidi mentioned above into a news article, such as kapitalis.com, which published an article titled "Al-Zaytouna University considers Jihad in Palestine and its support an individual duty for all Muslims."
Al-Quds Al-Arabi also published an article with the title "Al-Zaytouna University: Supporting Jihad in Palestine is an individual obligation for every Muslim - (Post)."
Additionally, the Egyptian platform "Tafnid," which specializes in news verification, published an article titled "Tunisia did not open the door for its citizens to Jihad in Palestine," clarifying that the news was misleading.
In a second stage of verification, our team looked at the official page of "The Sheikdom of Al-Zaytouna Al-Ma'mur Mosque" and found a statement published on October 14, 2023, signedd stage of verification, our team looked at the official page of "The Sheikdom of Al-Zaytouna Al-Ma'mur Mosque" and found a statement published on October 14, 2023, signed by the head of "The Sheikdom of Al-Zaytouna Al-Ma'mur Mosque," Dr. Munir Kumentar.
The statement issued by the "Association of Al-Zaytouna Al-Ma'mur Mosque" clarified that it had not issued any declarations calling for Jihad or travel to Palestine. Such pronouncements can only come from the Presidency of the Republic or the official authorities of Tunisia.
Munir Kamentar, in a comment accompanying the statement, clarified, "This post is not to issue a ruling on Jihad in Palestine. It is a clarification to the public after we received many messages from young people wanting to enlist in the group that will go for Jihad. We clarified that we did not organize or coordinate any call to travel."
The 'Tunis Check' team continued their research by contacting Munir Kamentar, a former professor at Al-Zaytouna University, who confirmed that he is the head of Al-Zaytouna Al-Ma'mur Mosque and that the clarifying statement was signed by him. He assured that "The official page of Al-Zaytouna Al-Ma'mur Mosque" is indeed the official page of the association and that he personally supervises it.
Kamentar further clarified that Hussein Al-Abidi, who called for Jihad in Palestine, was a former member of the association and was dismissed in 2014 by the Al-Zaytouna Sheikdom, a decision he has not accepted.
Kamentar added that despite a final judicial ruling allowing the resumption of its activities, the state does not recognize "Al-Zaytouna Al-Ma'mur Mosque." However, there are positive indications from the state for recognition.
The publication of his statement aimed to reassure the Tunisian public after the confusion caused by Al-Abidi's call for Jihad and the numerous requests received from Tunisians eager to travel and fight in Palestine.
In a third stage of verification, upon reviewing the official pages of the Presidency of the Republic, the Head of Government, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs, no claims or statements were found inviting citizens to travel or engage in Jihad in Palestine.
For further verification, we contacted the Ministry of Religious Affairs. A responsible source, who preferred to remain unnamed, confirmed that the ministry had not issued any statement calling for travel and Jihad in Palestine and that all statements published in this regard are from unofficial individuals and associations and are not affiliated with the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Based on the information mentioned, the 'TuniFact' platform confirms that the news regarding Tunisia opening the door for Jihad against the Zionist entity and in support of Palestine is false.
Yasmine Dakhli
Diplômée d'un master en communication politique de l'Institut de Presse et des sciences de l'Information.
Yasmine Dakhli
Diplômée d'un master en communication politique de l'Institut de Presse et des sciences de l'Information.
