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Tunisian security forces have cracked down shops in search for the hijab-clad doll.
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TUNIS — No sooner had as the new academic year
begun in Tunisia than security forces raided soft-toy shops across the
country to withdraw Fulla, the doll, which inspired millions of Muslim
girls worldwide, eclipsing the American and world's best-selling
Barbie.
"Security forces have cracked down on shops
and confiscated all goods bearing Fulla's photo," Tunisian
shoppers and merchants told IslamOnline.net Friday, September 22, on
condition of anonymity.
"Authorities claim that the hijab-clad doll
invokes sectarian feud," they added.
"In addition to being quizzed, we have
sustained heavy losses."
Fulla has become a household name basically in the
Muslim world since it was first introduced in 2003 as an alternative
to the curvaceous flashy Barbie.
With long-sleeved dresses, hijab and a prayer mate,
the dark-eyed doll provides an ideal role model for little Muslim
girls and reflects the flourishing of Islamic values.
"I fear that female students would be
questioned by police for having schoolbags bearing the photo of
Fulla," said Abdullah al-Zawari, a journalist.
He said authorities could "stretch" law
no. 108, which bans Tunisian women from donning the hijab, and accuse
those students of violating the law.
The law was ratified in 1981 by late Tunisian
president Habib Bourguiba (1956-1987).
Samira, a teacher, also lashed out at the security
oppressive policy.
"It is tarnishing the image of Tunisia and a
blatant violation of civil liberties," she fumed.
Systematic Campaign
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"Authorities, which boast about personal freedoms in Tunisia, do not practice what they preach," said Akrami.
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Authorities in the North African country are used
to launching a campaign every academic year against hijab-clad female
students and their bearded male peers.
"It is unbearable to have thousands of
Tunisian families living the same nightmare every academic year
because of hijab and beards," human rights activist Saida
al-Akrami told IOL.
"Authorities, which boast about personal
freedoms in Tunisia, do not practice what they preach," she
added.
She blasted the campaign as illegal and
unconstitutional, saying she filed a lawsuit against the government to
revoke the controversial law.
"But the court has not considered the lawsuit
though it was filed four years ago," she said.
Samira, the teacher, said the president adopts a
double-standard policy.
"It is amazing that authorities target
hijab-clad women and girls, while the president's wife and family
members wore hijab when they performed hajj," she said.
Nightmare
Tunisian Religious Affairs Minister Aboubaker
Akhzouri had slammed hijab as running counter to the country's
"cultural legacy," considering the Islamic dress as a
"foreign phenomenon" in society.
Islam sees Hijab as an obligatory code of dress,
not a religious symbol displaying one’s affiliations.
"I have been living a nightmare. I don't know
how to cope with such an atmosphere," complained Fatima, who was
kicked out of school because she wore a hijab.
"My colleagues and I were not allowed to join
classes until we take off our headscarves," she added with a
heavy heart.
Fatima has found herself between a rock and a hard
place.
"I'm not ready to give up my education.
However, I will not take off my hijab, which is a religious
duty," she averred.
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