Pre titles:

Jihadi

I want to fight Jihad in my country.

Wounded victim

They attacked us with swords saying Allaho Akbar. You’re not my God to punish me if I drink or do anything wrong.

Abdesslam talking to Zuheir.

God’s law must rule or injustice will never end. Is anything fairer than God?

If you have a fair law, the greatest injustice you can do is break it.

Drug dealer sequence.

Salafist with orange and black headscarf walking.

Other Salafi.

We’re going to corner them, it’s this way.

هو يقف أمام المعهد الثانوي ويسعى للاتصال بالاطفال والبنات ويبيع بضاعته للأولاد الصغار

He stands outside schools and sells to kids.

Minister:

Some people are taking on the role of the security services.

ACT ONE.

TITLES.

THE BATTLE FOR BIZERTE

Bizerte Wide shots, GVs.

Bizerte is a tranquil looking (quiet) Tunisian town on the Mediterranean sea.

It lies 60 kilometres from the capital Tunis.

But it’s not as quiet as it seems.

A battle is under way here.

A group of ultra-conservative Islamists known as Salafists want to establish a strict Islamic Society based on a literal interpretation of the Koran.

Their opponents and the authorities want to stop them.

This is the story of the Battle for Bizerte.

Patrol in Old Bizerte streets

They stop on corner.

Inside shop.

A group of devout young men are on patrol on the streets of Bizerte.

They want to stop what they believe is un-islamic behaviour.

An informer leads them to a shop.

An unmarried young woman is alone with a man.

Shots of Salafis here.

They question her.

He’s like my brother.

Even so you shouldn’t be alone with him in a private space.

That’s not allowed in our religion. You can’t be with him in a private space.

ومن سيرى بنتا تدخل إلى مكان ما فيه رجل فقط ماذا سيقول بعيدا عن الدين بعيدا عن كل شيء

لا لا انظري، بغض النظر عن فكرك انت أتحدث عن نظرة المجتمع وما سيقول

يمكن أن تكون صحيحة ويمكن أن تكون مخطئة اسمعين ولا تقاطعين كلامي ،

This isn’t allowed, not even on the street.

The patrolling men are Salafists. They believe it is wrong for unmarried men and women to be alone together.

Look at where I’m sitting and where he is.

If someone sees you entering alone with this man what would they say?

You’re right.

Am I right? You know you’re doing something wrong. I’m talking to you now.

He’s like my brother.

I’m not talking about what you think but about society. Are you right or wrong?

It could be right, it could be wrong.

Tell the truth.

Salafi

Don’t interrupt me. You’re not veiled and you don’t pray, but we care anyway.

May God show me the right path.

They challenge the man too.

How would you feel if she were your sister?

Answer me. Imagine if she’s your sister alone with a man.

They ask the woman to leave.

The Salafists have no official power to police the city like this.

But that isn’t stopping them.

Shots of Old Bizerte.

Zuheir Latif and Abdesslam walking. Dreamy shots from behind.

Note for Mary: they don’t answer to him, he’s only one of their leaders, and not the main leader. This could cause Zuheir problems, and Abdesslam himself.

Abdesslam Sharif is one of the leaders of their group, the Jamaat Ansar Al Sunna.

It’s the biggest Salafist group in Bizerte.

Zuheir Latif is a well-known Tunisian TV journalist.

He wants to investigate the rise of Salafist power in his country.

He got unique access to Abdesslam Sharif for the BBC.

Abdesslam and Zuheir walking.

Z: Mr Abdesslam you and I cooperated to get into the Salafists’s world for our film. Do you like the word ‘Salafist’ or not?

It’s not a problem but we don’t call ourselves that. We’ve been called this to distinguish us from other groups.

Z: You’re a well-structured organisation like in the movies when they show gangs, the Salafi brothers are like that.

A: An organisation with a plan?

Zuheir: Yes a well-structured organisation…

A: Anything is well-structured, even an institution is organised. Everything is organised. Even a shop. It’s not exclusive to Salafists.

The Ansar Al-Sunna group has approximately 500 active members in Bizerte.

It began as a neighbourhood protection group after the Revolution in January 2011.

Abdesslam and kiosk.

Abdesslam Sharif says he fought Jihad in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Like many Salafists, he spent time in a Tunisian prison under President Ben Ali for his beliefs.

After his release in 2009 he opened this small kiosk in Bizerte.

He’s here every day between 9.30 am and 6pm, with breaks for prayers.

The kiosk has become a counselling centre.

He spends much of his time advising people who come to him with their problems.

Woman in shop.

This woman has come because she’s unhappy with her husband’s demands for a divorce.

Abdesslam and Woman in shop.

Woman: I refuse divorce.

A: You have conditions.

Woman: My children’s home. I don’t want him to take it.

A: So you want him to promise that he won’t bother you or take from you or share with you the house, and he can do what he wants in his life.

Woman: Yes he can do what he wants.

So you’re prepared, if he guarantees your property, to facilitate the process.

That’s it.

Woman: He’s been with her for two years. He’s

been begging for divorce for two years. But for my children’s sake I didn’t want problems. He wants to sell my house.

لكن حين وصل به الامر إلى بيع داري وملكي

هل يمكن لك أن تتخيل أن ابنه الأصغر لاحظ هذا إذ قال لي لهذا السبب أبي لم يعد يعيش معنا ،

Can you imagine that his younger son notices he says ‘Maman c’est pour ca que papa il rentre plus avec nous, it’s been two years’. Mum that’s why Dad doesn’t come home with us anymore’.

When we go he does his own thing. He even brought her home.

والملابس الداخلية أخفاها في الحقيبة

And her underwear is all over the house. Hidden in the suitcase. I don’t leave my stuff up there. I know what’s mine and what’s in my house. And the house is a mess.

انتبهي لنفسك قليلا وهدئي من روعك

A: Look after yourself, calm down, inshallah good things will happen and God will help you.

يستحسن ألا يعرفوا كل شي عن أبيهم ،ظلي أنت قريبة منهم أكثر ويجب أن تدركي أن القصة قد كتبر وأولادك قد يهجرون البيت ويهجرونك خاصة بالنظر إلى أجواء فرنسا وتلك العقلية هناك تشكل خطرا كبيرا، حاولي كيف تبعدينهم عن مشاكلكم، وحتى حين يحدث أمر ما، قولي لهم لا تتدخلوا ودعوا المشكل بين وبين أبيكم

It’s best if they don’t know about their dad. Stay close to them and realise that this could get bigger and affect them so much that they could run away.

The children live in France, try to keep them out of this, the mentality there is different, keep it between you and their father, don’t let them get involved. If there’s a problem tell them ‘it’s between me and your dad’.

Goodbye.

Woman leaves shop.

Afterwards, Abdesslam’s followers told us that they visited her husband.

In the end, they say that husband and wife did not divorce.

Abdesslam says he applies strict Islamic principles and his own powers of persuasion to solve problems.

Montage of people coming to Abdesslam for help.

He doesn’t just deal with marital issues.

This couple came to him to report the theft of their son’s motorbike.

Upsync: He has 200 dinars in his wallet.

This woman tells Abdesslam that the man she hoped to marry stole her money and jewellery.

He also deals with mothers and unruly sons.

Sometimes he gives legal advice.

People from all walks of life - the secular and religious – seek his help.

His influence is causing unease among local politicians, including

the governor of Bizerte, Abderrazek Ben Khelifa.

Governor of Bizerte

ABDERRAZEK BEN KHELIFA

People seeking help from something parallel to the state is not new. In the past people went to the party leader, or the President, and even famous footballers to get advice.

After the revolution in January people organised neighbourhood groups to protect their property. Some people now, in various movements, Salafi or other, are doing good deeds or volunteer work. However perhaps the fact that these actions are coming from sources that can be politically motivated, that’s the problem.

Preparations for the motorbike raid. Police officers standing in line.

It’s a challenge the authorities are taking seriously.

And the police are trying to assert their control.

Motorbike raids

Police in action on streets of Bizerte.

Stop and search operation.

Our team got unprecedented access to the police in Bizerte.

Before the revolution these officers ensured President Ben Ali’s iron grip on power.

Then they ran a network of informers, crushed islamist dissent, and imprisoned thousands of Islamists and Salafists.

Now the police are accountable to a democratic government dominated by the Islamist Ennahda party.

But the state and police treat Salafists with suspicion.

It’s a show of force.

ACT TWO

Abdesslam kiosk. Deputy on his left. Talking to the man.

Meanwhile Abdesslam Sharif is in his kiosk with his deputy.

He has another very serious problem to solve.

The parents of a 14yr old boy accuse this man of taking their son’s mobile phone.

But that’s not all.

He is suspected of making sexual overtures to the boy.

Abdesslam in shop, mobile phone story, Mansour and man with green cap.

This conversation doesn’t make sense.

A: -Do you realise what you’re doing? Do you know your problem?

Man: -Am Ali says It’s about the mobile phone.

A: Besides the phone, you have another problem, with the boy and his friend. I’m not in the police but I can tell you what you’ve done will get you fifty years in prison.

Man: His mother came asking about her son.

A: I’m talking to you now. It’s not about his mother. You, you. Talk to me, what are you going to say? What are you doing?

A: I spent half your age, if not two thirds of your age, in prison.

نصف عمرك أنت إذا لم يكن ثلاثاه قد قضيتهما في السجن

A: I will understand any language you speak to me in.

A: Look, this vice will make me tear you to pieces. I will let anything pass except child abuse. We’re street kids. Let’s talk straight. From what the kid told me, you deserve fifty years in prison. You touched the child. You forced him against his will, you groomed him, gave him money, seduced him with money.

A: Don’t open your eyes like that! Don’t speak to me like this. You’re like this, you can do more. Your way is leading you nowhere.

A: Stay away from children. Leave this way of life and repent. This is your chance. Many kids are saying the same thing about you.

All these children’s pain will be upon you.

Today I speak to you straight. Next time I won’t say anything.

Next time if the kid comes to me and says he did this and that, I’ll do the same to you (I’ll break you).

Other people’s children are like my children.

I don’t like to speak too much.

I won’t repeat myself. I say the word once and I won’t speak to you again. I won’t even look at you. If someone comes to me and says you did something, I will deal with you.

Before sundown, you bring the phone. You have no excuse. Go bring the phone.

A: Let’s make a deal. Go and bring the phone before the end of the day.

Other man: Do it Mansour.

CU Abdesslam alone in his shop

Abdesslam got the mobile phone back.

The Salafists say that they are keeping an eye on the man.

They told us that the man hardly leaves his home now.

Man on street.

Abdelsslam’s group also deal with common crimes like robbery.

One day Mr Salah Badrouni was on his way to early morning prayers when he discovered that robbers had broken into his café.

CAFÉ OWNER

I was on my way to prayers and walked past the café to tell the employee to open it. I saw him sitting down, the door broken and said ‘What happened?’ We got robbed. I was shocked.

But word of the robbery reached Abdesslam’s men and they took action.

10.30 o'clock sharp, 5 "Brothers" came and brought me the TV, the machine... and all my stuff, everything, nothing is missing.

They just asked me one thing: Not to be violent with the robbers.

And now, these so-called thieves are now no longer thieves. They’re praying. They’re always in the Mosque.

People say Salafists are "scary monsters". But that’s not true. On the contrary, they’re sweet as lambs. I told you they gave me back my property.

Since then I no longer work. I have an employee in the morning and another in the afternoon. I’m with them all day.

We try to lead the "bad" people onto the right path and enable them to understand their mistakes. If something happens we help people, we give justice to those who were mistreated. And we take the hand of the criminals.

Abdesslam and Zuheir walking.

This is the first time we see them talking.

Zuheir is keen to explore how Abdesslam persuades people to follow his views.

Abdesslam and Zuheir

Zuheir: It is said that you take advantage of the situation, catch the thief for example, and under the threat, step by step, he will join your group.

That’s why many people say that you “salafists” are controllers, ex-prisoners and you always try to persuade others to join you under threat and with money … That is why we see them later wearing, like you, a white cap and with long beards like you Mr Abdesslam. What do you think?

A: Calling us criminals, thieves, and ex-prisoners…..

Z: That is not my opinion, that is what people say about you.

A: Are they not allowed to repent?

Z: Of course.

We all make mistakes some time in our lives: minor or serious. When God gives us the chance to catch the criminal and he’s in our hands because he was doing an injustice, after we return stolen goods or give justice to those who were mistreated, we ask him to repent. Not for us. He doesn’t belong to us, we’re not an empire, we are people of God want everyone to fear God and to look after each other.

TALIBAN DISCUSSION

Before we started filming I told you that you are using the same methods as the Taliban before they took power. There were convoys of food aid and they were robbed on the way. In the beginning, people had high hopes for the Taliban and they got people’s trust and then they took power. Do you think there will a Taliban scenario with the Jihadi Salafis?

There’s a difference between the Taliban in Afghanistan and Tunisia. In Tunisia people used to be made to fear the Salafists. Even though we did so much good people were made to fear us. Since the revolution our image has improved. Salafits are showing their true image through social work, helping people, protecting the country from going up in flames.

A profound belief in a literal interpretation of the Koran is at the heart of everything Abdesslam does.

Mr Policeman in Abdesslam’s shop. Set up shot. Abdesslam talking to him and his son. CU and WS.

Policeman tenant in blue coat.

Policeman.

His expertise and influence even extend to complex property matters.

Mr Habib Al Bjaoui has come with his son to ask for help with a real estate problem.

He says his tenant wants to claim his flat.

Abdesslam and the Policeman and his son in the shop.

This is my house, I bought it and spent blood on it, refurbished it, and everyone knows, you can ask about me anywhere, this flat is mine.

What I suggest, before you do anything, before your meeting, you have to talk about this between you, to discuss it in a friendly manner.

Habib Al Bjaoui: He doesn’t want to listen to me.

A: But I spoke to him. Inshallah… Yesterday I felt that he changed his position.

Goodbye, God Bless you, God bless you, etc.

Greetings and they leave the shop.

Mr Habib Al Bjaoui is one of Abdesslam’s more unusual visitors.

He’s a retired police officer who spent 35 years in the force.

So why did he choose to go to Abdesslam instead of to the authorities?

Interview with former police officer.

Nobody could solve the problem I had with my house. I heard about this guy Abdesslam and he’s in Binzert solving loads of problems, I saw it with my own eyes, no one even told me. I thought I’d go to him and explain my problem and he was with me all along. And he called the other guy. And just to make this clear, he doesn’t use violence, he has a way of convicing people. And it follows Sharia.

Zuheir

Do you feel this is the right way, because as you say that the law doesn’t give you your rights?

Policeman

I’m not saying this is the solution. I’m saying it’s one way. Because as you know it’s been a while since there’s no security.

People would rather go to Abdesslam than the police station because if you go to the police and you’re covered in blood or have been robbed, the police are not going to do anything. When someone’s house is robbed, Abdesslam brings things back.

Zuheir and Habib Al Bjaoui

Z: How much did you pay him to get your house back?

Habib Al Bjaoui

From the very first time I went he said we do this for Allah. From the first time I went to him. He does it for God, he doesn’t take money.

Abdesslam’s followers told us that they threatened the tenant and Mr Al-Bjaoui got his house back.

Abdesslam and the Salafists are effective problem-solvers.

The state is still trying to assert its authority after the revolution, and finds it hard to compete.

ABDESSLAM AND ZUHEIR

Music

So I’m telling you what everyone knows. When someone robs a shop nobody will challenge the criminal. When the police were gone and busy solving bigger issues, who stopped the criminals and looters and educated them, preached, and asked them to look after each other? It was religious people.

Zuheir: -What do you mean by religious people? Are you talking about Salafis?

A: You asked me before if I liked to be called Salafi. And I told you, you can call me that if you like. I don’t call myself that. For me religion is life.

Wide shot Bizerte seafront.

Abdesslam and his followers are just one of several Salafist groups active across Tunisia.

They fill the vacuum left after the revolution by an ineffective local and national government.

The Salafists want to see a Tunisia ruled by their strict interpretation of Sharia law.

Salafists on beach.

Let’s go that way to surround them. I know this place.

Abdesslam’s men are about to seize a man.

They didn’t let us film his capture.

We joined them afterwards.

They corner him and take his phone.

They accuse him of selling drugs.

DRUG DEALER STORY.

You said you want to stop doing this from today. God willing. And stop selling. This is a promise from you? Yes.

Yes, God willing.

So that’s a promise.

Yes.

We want to show you the good face of Muslims. We will stand by you like men.

They answer a call on his phone.

Hello. This is Ala.

Hello yes.

-Are you still there?

-What do you want?

-Ten dinars worth.

-Ok. I’ll call you in few minutes.

They use this as evidence that he sells drugs.

There are 44 missed calls and 38 messages besides the ones we answered.

Look. He sells drugs in front of the college in Menzil Jmil. He sells to young kids and girls.

Man: I swear to God three times. I never sold drugs in front of the colleges. I don’t sell to children.

The man tells the Salafists why he became a drug dealer.

Actually, I was in prison because of a fight. I was there for two years. I left prison and I was destroyed.

سجنت بسببها لسنتين

I didn’t find a job. Whenever I apply for one they say no because of my past.

No one offered help. I felt suffocated.

My parents are poor. A guy as grown-up as I am can’t ask for pocket money every day.

You’re a man. Men see worse than this. Don’t cry.

I want to cry whenever I think about this.

It’s OK, it’s OK.

Everytime I remember this I want to cry. My mind blocks it out.

I don’t want to steal or mug.

It seems the man was beaten.

The Salafists deny hitting him.

They let him go.

We asked Abderrazek Ben Khelifa, the governor of Bizerte, why the Salafists are allowed to round up and question people.

Governor of Bizart

Music here.

They’re not allowed to arrest people and it’s totally out of the question, and it’s not OK, and we…. and the police have arrested people who tried to arrest others.

GVs of Bizerte

Police rounding up men.

Police with man. Officer has gun and gas canister in his hand. The gun is the police gun. The gas canister was confiscated from the man.

Drive with vans.

Man is rounded up.

The four men are in the police station. Anger.

Salafist actions are at the heart of a deep divide in Tunisia.

This is not just a secular vs. religious argument.

Tunisia’s government is ruled by an Islamist-led coalition dominated by the Ennahda party .

Most of the coalition parties oppose the Salafist vision of a state run by strict principles of Sharia Law.

The rising popularity of the Salafists poses a threat.

The police are still on their stop and search patrol.

They pick up three men.

One of them is in possession of pepperspray.

This is illegal in Tunisia.

They have a warrant to search and arrest another man.

The men were charged with delinquency.

They’re waiting for a trial date.

Arrests of Salafists are increasingly common in Tunisia.

Men standing in a row against the wall.

Upsound:

They’ll say we’re terrorists. Etc.

Men in police station.

SALAFI VICTIM

The Salafists say the police target them unfairly.

And they say they’re also victims of attacks.

Set up Salafi man, shots of Salafia.

This man is a Salafist from Bir Masyougha, a village just outside Bizerte.

Man with white cap and white waistcoat.

Bismillah al rahman al rahim. This is my brother in law’s house. The family lived here. They were happy. The neighbours, the Hmama family, his brother and others, they want to harass us.

They attacked the family. The doors are broken, the windows are broken. They went in. They took hold of the little girl and grabbed her to frighten us until our women got her back.

The family shut the house, they left and rented another place. They said ‘we don’t want to die here’. Our neighbour, the same thing. He decided to leave the house. The whole family are not living together anymore.

They attacked us with swords. They didn’t’ find anything to break so they hit the door and the satellite dish.

… The family who attacked them, six of them, some of their relatives work in the police. And others work with the police. They support and encourage them. They never come alone. They encourage them. And they come and they break stuff and harass us. And the police come with them and are right behind them. I wish they came alone. But the police are watching from behind when they attack.

The Salafis told Zuheir’s team.

We were told that the attack was in retaliation for Salafist attempts to stop the sale of alcohol here.

Wide shot Bizerte from bridge.

But the Salafists also have a reputation for violence.

Mohammad Boueineia.

Mohammad Abou Einaia belongs to the secular Worker’s Party.

He was distributing leaflets for the election campaign when he says a Salafist disagreed with his party’s plan and accused him of blasphemy.

He went to the police station for protection.

He says a mob of Salafists dragged him out and attacked him on the street.

Mohammad Boueineia.

The first blow on my face aimed to knock me down. I didn’t fall because I’m short. A big tough guy hit my knees. Then he lifted his knees and knocked my head. He wanted to break my nose but hit my eye. Then he hit my ribs. I couldn’t breathe properly for two months because he hit me so hard.

I went to the police to complain about the attack. And until now nothing happened.

This Abdesslam man he has a kiosk in Bizerte, I don’t know how he got it, it has light and everything. They got him to talk on the Tunisian channel and he spoke as if he has judicial and executive authority and a police force and he does what is necessary, finds and convicts criminals and brings back your stolen goods. He does all of this under shocking silence (from the authorities).

GvS OF Bizerte. Alcohol and women.

Lifestyle and alcohol.

We have no evidence that the men who attacked him are members of the Jamaat Ansar Al Sunna.

Drinking alcohol is not illegal in Tunisia.

But the Salafits believe it should be banned.

One day this man, who asked not to be named, was drinking beer in his car with a friend.

He says a group of Salafists saw them, dragged them out and attacked them with swords.

VICTIM OF ATTACK, BADLY BEATEN UP.

Approximately 20 Salafis . Allaho akbar, swords coming down on my head and face and I shielded myself with my hands.

Because the swords were hitting my face and head, I protected my head with my hands and that is why I have all these injuries on my hands. The nerves were cut, I had operations. As you see this is the situation.

They’re walking around normally. They’re doing their thing after they beat people up and there’s no police to arrest them and they know where they are, they know which mosque they pray in, they know where they live but they won’t talk to them.

-After this how do you feel about them?

Look at what they’ve done. Should I love them?!

Just because you once drank and God showed you the right path and you grew a beard…

You don’t know when God will show me the right path and if I’ll pray but I won’t grow a beard.

Finding the right path is in God’s hands. True or not? Aaay.

God will show us the way and judge us. You’re not God. How can you show me the right way with swords? You’re not my God to judge me if I drink or do anything like that.

GVs Bizerte, boats, water in sunlight, people walking.

Driving shots in Bizerte.

FOOTAGE OF SALAFI ATTACK ON MAN.

On the way to interview Abdesslam, Zuheir and his team witnessed an incident.

The two men on the motorbike are Abdesslam’s followers.

They jump off and encircle a man.

The man in the brown leather coat approaches with a metal chain and beats him.

They accused the man of drinking alcohol.

Zuheir wants to know whether Abdesslam sanctions this sort of action by his followers.

Zuheir with Abdesslam on street.

On our way to you we witnessed one of the Salafi brothers attacking a man and saying ‘oh you’re drunk!’. And he started beating him with an iron bar (chain). He was about to kill him. What is this? I saw this with my own eyes.

It was a big attack, it’s as if they wanted to break his head.

Well if his actions were worse than what they did to him…

They should have taken him to the police!

That’s if they did their job correctly.

So you take responsibility. This is a very serious claim, and you are accusing the police of not doing their job.

-Of course.

-Does that mean that if they don’t do their job then we the Salafis are taking over and doing their job for them?

That’s not the case. Life in this country must go on. They’re my neighbours, brothers, friends. Someone must do this job to keep people safe or there will be lots of injustice.

Who gave you the right…? What is a measure of, who gave you the right, you or others…

Our patriotism, and because he’s my neighbour.

ACT THREE

Transition shot, Abdesslam and Zuheir walking.

Abdesslam believes he is carrying out God’s will.

Zuheir and Abdesslam.

I don’t care who rules. I just care about what kind of law it is.

Which is God’s law?

Yes.

Don’t take away from God what God gave you the right to. And don’t make right what God said was wrong.

So are you calling for God’s Law in Tunisia alone, or in the whole world?

A: No, in the whole world.

Z: In the whole woooorld…

.

Man seen from behind, seafront.

The Al Sunna are prepared to travel well beyond Tunisia to enforce what they see as God's Law.

And they consider Jihad an essential part of their duties as Muslims.

JIHADI SEEN FROM THE BACK.

This man is one of the spiritual leaders of the Ansar Al-Sunna.

He does not want to be identified.

Like many Salafists, he was released from prison after the revolution.

JIHADI SHADOW.

This is our country. We want to live here as much as you do. Why don’t I have the right to fight Jihad in my country, by preaching? Why don’t they allow us to preach in Tunis? The Salafi way. We’re not asking for anything. We just want God’s Law in Tunisia.

We fought Jihad against the US and Jews in Iraq. Because they took our land and our women and everything from us in Iraq. It’s every Muslim’s duty to defend our honour with Jihad. It’s mandatory for all Muslims.

Jihad is open, wherever it is, in Iraq, Yemen or Torabora, or Afghanistan, or Syria, or Mali, it’s open everywhere and anytime.

Jihadi from back. Seafront shots.

He says he fought Jihad for seven years in Iraq before he was arrested and sent back to Tunisia.

Family of Trabelsi the prisoner in Syria.

Establishing shot. Mother by door.

But not all Jihadis return home.

This woman’s son, Mohammad Trabelsi, has not made it back.

He was a prisoner under Ben Ali for being a Salafist and was released shortly after the revolution.

As a member of the Ansar Al-Sunna, Abdesslam’s group, he left for Syria on a Jihadi mission early in 2012.

His mother has waited for him to come home ever since.

Mother lament.

Please, for God’s sake, bring me back my son. I miss him. I miss him terribly. Please. Bring me my son. Please.

Brother

He didn’t think about telling us and he didn’t discuss this with us, he just left, he followed his own mind. He wanted to go and help his fellow Muslims.

Believe me, all the problems I hide in my heart are because he’s my brother, he’s like my twin soul, I hid things in my heart to reassure my mother. Because I saw her change. How she was before and after. It’s a very difficult situation.

Mother.

My son please come back. For God’s sake, come back. I miss you so much.

Street shots from around the house.

Her son travelled to Turkey and crossed into Syria.

He called his wife once from the border and then disappeared.

Zuheir travelled to Damascus, Syria, to get more information about him.

He found Mohammad in a Damascus prison.

The prison director was present when Zuheir spoke to him.

Zuheir and Mohammad Trabelsi in Syria.

Upon entering Syria on the border with Turkey I got arrested.

-The decision to come here was it difficult? Was it difficult or easy?

-For me, my decision? Well, any person seeing the footage of what happens here can’t explain…

-You mean the footage on TV?

-Yes. He doesn’t take the time to think before he takes a decision.

Mohamed in Syrian prison.

M: In terms of leaving I feel my decision was the right decision.

-In terms of going to Syria? In terms of Jihad?

I am still convinced that decision to go and help people in need.

The opportunity came in Syria.

But in terms of how it was done, and where it got to, of doing it without thought or planning, that was wrong, and that’s a mistake.

Le Monde says it’s 800. Their source: Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Zuheir says it’s 1000. It could be more.

Demos in favour of fighting in Syria, placards from Hizb Ettahrir.

SOURCE: ZUHEIR LATIF.

Mohammad has been detained for over a year and is hoping to be released shortly.

More than 800 Tunisians are estimated to be fighting in Syria.

In Tunisia, different Salafist groups have been demonstrating in support of the fight against President Assad/the Assad regime in Syria.

Many Salafist groups are active in Tunisia.

Some are political, others are labelled terrorist organisations.

They have different methods but they all want the establishment of an Islamic Caliphate ruled by Sharia law.

Shots of Bizerte near police station area, Abdesslam walking.

This was before Kairouan in March 2013.

Back in Bizerte, the police have summoned Abdesslam for an informal meeting.

It seems they’ve been watching him.

Abdesslam squinting outside, walk by fountain.

They said the military didn’t explain why, but I have to call the military prosecutor this Wednesday.

They treated me nicely, and they weren’t provocative or anything.

-They didn’t want info?

-No, no. Even if they have a problem with others, they don’t have a problem with me. They know me.

Archive Kairouan

KAIROUAN EVENTS Police clashes with protesters, smoke, teargas, violence (Reuters footage)

Source: Le Monde and confirmed by Zuheir Latif.

Source: AFP.

Tensions between the authorities and the Salafists came to a head in another Tunisian town, Kairouan, in May 2013.

The police banned a gathering of a Salafist group called the Ansar Al Sharia. It has close links to Abdesslam’s group, the Ansar Al-Sunna.

The organisers defied the ban and asked their supporters to join them.

Five thousand took to the streets of Kairouan.

Violence erupted as the police fired teargas and protesters threw stones.

Two men died, and eighteen were wounded.

Walk into Ministry.

Zuheir Latif asked Mohammad Ali Al Aroui, the spokesman of the Interior Ministry whether violence is the best way to deal with rising Salafist power in Tunisia.

Interior Ministry Man

The security response is necessary in these circumstances. But it’s not the only solution. There should be an intellectual and religious solution, and an economic one. The Interior Ministry and the army in Tunis are taking control.

Zuheir question: If a citizen goes to complain to a Salafist, that means, in my view, -and after speaking to people who go to these Salafis- is that it seems they don’t trust the authorities/government.

Ali Al Aroui.

-In terms of what happened in Bizerte, it’s true people tried to take on the role of the state or the police and overstep role of state. We intervened as soon as was neccessary and arrests were made of those who think they can replace the state. Some are trying to go beyond what’s allowed. But we’re not going to allow this in Tunis and you can see the Interior ministry applies the law to everyone who tries to impose its authority on others.

We know this from the group itself. Source: Zuheir Latif.

Salafists across Tunisia have had to wind down their public political activities since the events in Kairouan.

Abdesslam’s group, the Ansar Al Sunna, is now closely watched by the police.

The group says it is still active.

But it has to keep a low profile.

Abdesslam closes his shop.

End of day.

Destroyed shop.

After he was interviewed by the police, Abdesslam Sharif disappeared.

The police say he’s on the Tunisian-Algerian border.

His friends say he’s fighting Jihad in Mali.

We can’t confirm either.

Three months later, the police destroyed his shop.

THE END.