Imam calls for Jihad against Troika on live TV

A Tunisian Imam who called the Salafi Youth to fight the Troika government is being investigated. Nasr al-Din al-Alawi announced Jihad against the Troika and its Ennahda members, who are “merely recruits of the USA” according to the imam.Al-Nour Mosque’s Imam called for Jihad on live television in front of the Interior Minister Ali Al-Areed, claiming that Ennahda ministers were “disbelievers and hypocrites who follow America’s orders.” Nasr al-Din al-Alawi  was appointed Imam of al-Nour Mosque a few days ago, after his predecessor Khaled al-Qarawi was killed on Tuesday in clashes following the attack on Lieutenant Wissam Bin Suleiman. Suleiman, who was attempting to temper a clash between Salafis and wine sellers, was stabbed in the head. Ennahda MP Sheikh Abdul Fatah Moro said that inciting violence and killings was not worthy of Islam. He added that the Imam harmed the image of Islam and that he was irresponsible. Ennahda leader Ali Al-Arid said that the youth needed to be better educated to prevent them from being brainwashed. The leader of the Salafi organisation Ansar al-Sharia (Partisans of Sharia) Abu Ayad urged his Salafi supporters to stay calm and patient. He said his people should not be driven by politicians or used as bait. He accused some parties of dragging the Salafi youth into violence. But he added that the blood spilt served the implementation of the law of God. He warned the government not to underestimate the Salafis. Former Salafi leader al-Khatib al-Idrissi, who was active in Ben Ali’s government, also called for calm. The appointment of the angry Imam raised many questions about the religious authority in the country. The Minister of Religious Affairs Nouredine Alkhadami said that some parts of Tunisia were not under his minister’s control. He promised to take action against Salafi Imams.