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Tunisians divided over Islam and the future A year after the uprising that sent autocratic leader Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali packing, Tunisia stands divided between two visions of its future, one secular and moderate, the other fundamentalist.
Perched atop a pillar on Habib Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis, a boy participates in an hour-long read-in, a silent demonstration organized along this central avenue by secular parties to promote education and warn against the ignorance they believe leads to religious extremism.
Nikki Kahn
/
The Washington Post
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Manel Manai, in white headscarf, and Syrine Ben Bahim, leaning on her shoulder, participate in an hour-long read-in along Habib Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis. The silent demonstration was organized by secular parties to promote education and warn against the ignorance they believe leads to religious extremism.
Nikki Kahn
/
The Washington Post
A businessman in Tunis’s Medina waits to welcome tourists. Tourism has been on the decline since last year's revolution.
Nikki Kahn
/
The Washington Post
Worshipers meander through the courtyard of Zaytuna Mosque after the evening prayer in Tunis. Although the mosque has remained open, Zaytuna University, once housed in the ancient structure, was closed under the rule of its former presidents, Habib Bourguiba and Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, out of fear of religious extremism.
Nikki Kahn
/
The Washington Post
Ibrahim Amara, 27, laughs with his wife, Marwa, at their office in Tunis. Since their marriage, Marwa, who was raised in a secular household, has converted to a more conservative dress code, which includes wearing gloves and a hijab.
Nikki Kahn
/
The Washington Post
Ibrahim Amara, 27, poses for a portrait with his wife, Marwa, holding their baby daughter, Arij, at their home in Le Kram, Tunisia. Amara, who follows an austere version of Islam known as Salafism, hopes for a constitution that will implement Sharia law.
Nikki Kahn
/
The Washington Post
Saida Amara talks about her religion as her son Ahmed Amara, 29, listens in their home in the working-class suburb of Le Kram, Tunisia. Ahmed, who favors a balance of Western and Islamic ideals, is exasperated with the recent fundamentalism of his younger brother, Ibrahim.
Nikki Kahn
/
The Washington Post
Ibrahim Amara, 27, and his wife, Marwa, at work in Tunis. Since their marriage, Marwa has converted to a more conservative dress code, which include wearing gloves and a hijab.
Nikki Kahn
/
The Washington Post
Samir Layouni, 50, prays at home with his wife, Hela, 43, and daughter Noor, 10, in Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia. Layouni, a longtime member of the Islamist Ennahda party, said, "Prayer helps you disconnect from the material world."
Nikki Kahn
/
The Washington Post
Hela Layouni, 43, passes out food at lunch with her daughter Ichvak Layouni, 16, right, and Ichvak's friend Maissa Jiffah, 17, at their home in Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia. Hela, who was raised in a secular home, recently began to wear the hijab again after 12 years of going uncovered so as not to be harassed by Ben Ali's security forces.
Nikki Kahn
/
The Washington Post
Hela Layouni, 43, waits to pick her daughter up from school in Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia. Social divisions at some schools are widening since the revolution between girls who wear the headscarf and those who don’t.
Nikki Kahn
/
The Washington Post
Models prepare for Tunisian designer Soucha Mlihigue to close out Fashion Week Tunis in Carthage, Tunisia. Black tulle veils worn by both male and female models suggested a religious reference that contrasted with the display of skin.
Nikki Kahn
/
The Washington Post
A model in a black tulle veil struts down the runway for Tunisian designer Soucha Mlihigue during Fashion Week Tunis in Carthage.
Nikki Kahn
/
The Washington Post
Mohamed Werghni walks through the labyrinth-like Medina in Tunis.
Nikki Kahn
/
The Washington Post
Colorful tiles remind tourists of Tunisia's history in what was once a sultan's palace in the Medina in Tunis.
Nikki Kahn
/
The Washington Post
Iheb Bahri, 10, sells bunches of jasmine in Tunis. The "Jasmine Revolution" has become the popular name for last year’s uprising.
Nikki Kahn
/
The Washington Post
Belhasan Betaib, 12, and his younger brother Sami Betaib, 8, play in front of the General Assembly in Tunis on April 19. Their father, Mohamed Ali Betaib, was recently released from prison and is among the unemployed population.
Nikki Kahn
/
The Washington Post
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