Tunisia: Salafist Muslims Ransack Hotel for Serving Alcohol
World Briefing | Africa
By REUTERS
Published: September 4, 2012
Dozens of hard-line Salafist Muslims attacked a hotel in Sidi Bouzid, the birthplace of Tunisia’s revolution, because it was serving alcohol, the hotel’s owner said Tuesday. About 100 Salafists attacked the hotel on Monday night, destroying furniture and smashing bottles of alcohol, the owner, Jamil Horcheni, said. In May, the ultraconservative Salafists staged a protest against alcohol in Sidi Bouzid, demanding that hotels and bars be relocated outside the city. In recent weeks, Salafist groups have prevented several concerts and plays from taking place in Tunisian cities, saying they violate Islamic principles. Since Tunisia overthrew an authoritarian president last year, there have been several attacks on cultural and tourist sites.