Religious Traditions in Tunisia

Tunisia has a long history of being open-minded about some of the more strict policies of Islam, namely to do with women and the faith placed in religious leaders. Tunisians place much more faith in their own families and would rather take advice from a family member than from a religious leader. In general, though, the country follows the basic tenets of Islam, with many businesses closing during the daily prayers. The traditional Islamic celebration of Ramadan and the demonstration of Ashdura are also common.

Various religious holidays hold extraordinary importance in Tunisia. One such holiday is the Feast of Sacrifice, which "coincides with the annual pilgrimage to the holy places of Mecca and Medina" (EveryCulture). During this holiday, every household is supposed to sacrifice a ram in the same way Abraham's son was spared as a sacrifice and a ram was used instead. Another festival is the Prophet's Birthday, which is the celebration of the birth of Muhammad. These celebrations seem to hold more significance in Tunisia, although the reason for this appears to be unknown.

While Muslims in Tunisia do have their own set of traditions as compared to other countries, the freedom of religion that is enjoyed in the country allows other beliefs to flourish. There are still pockets of Jews and Christians scattered throughout the country, keeping their own individual faiths and traditions alive in a country that is overwhelmingly Muslim.

Sources:
"Culture of Tunisia - History, People, Clothing, Traditions, Women, Beliefs, Food, Customs, Family." EveryCulture- Countries and Their Cultures. Web. 29 Dec. 2011. http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Tunisia.html.
"Tunisia: Daily Life and Social Customs." Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Web. 29 Dec. 2011. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/609229/Tunisia/93667/Daily-life-and-social-customs.
"Tunisia: Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette." Kwintessential- Professional Translation Services | Interpreters | Intercultural Communication & Training. Web. 29 Dec. 2011. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/tunisia-country-profile.html.