Tunisian preacher stirs controversy over verses regarding ‘coup’

TUNIS, Tunisia (AA) – Controversy is heating up in Tunisia after local authorities suspended a Muslim preacher for reciting verses from the Noble Quran, Islam’s holy book, regarding “coup”.

Muhammed Zain al-Din, 60, a preacher in the eastern Nabeul province, told local media that he recited the verses during prayer last week in the presence of Minister of Religious Affairs Ibrahim al-Shaibi.

After the prayer, Zain al-Din said he was urged by the minister to avoid these verses amid a deep political crisis in the North African country.

“I was given a 10-day leave by the local authorities without giving any reason,” the preacher said, adding that he was later told by the authorities that he can resume his work.

There was no comment from the Tunisian authorities on the allegation.

Tunisia has been in the throes of a deep political crisis that has aggravated the country's economic conditions since President Kais Saied ousted the government, suspended parliament and assumed executive authority last year.

While Saied insists his measures were meant to "save" the country, critics have accused him of orchestrating a coup.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar