Ghannouchi: Political reforms provide ground for democratic Islam

The leader of Tunisia’s Ennahda movement Sheikh Rachid Ghannouchi said only true democracy can defeat destructive and erroneous readings of Islam.

Speaking during the Mediterranean Dialogue Forum in the Italian capital Rome on Saturday, Ghannouchi said political reform provides fertile ground for the emergence and spread of democratic Islam explaining that “the real challenge lies in how to make Islam a power of moderation and tolerance in the face of extremism and violence”.

“Democratic Islam can be an alternative in a country that overcame repression which characterises tyranny,” he said.

Ghannouchi pointed out that Tunisians’ focus now is on establishing strong and long-term policies and political institutions and to improve the quality of people’s lives.

The three day forum discussed ways to establish a new regional system, face terrorism and activate political solutions in Libya and Syria.