Simon Slama and his family are the only Jews left in the Tunisian city of Monastir , once home to a thriving Jewish community . But instead of joining the exodus, he is running for office — as a candidate of Tunisia ’s Islamist party.
Slama’ s candidacy with the Ennahdha party in May municipal elections is causing a sensation in this overwhelmingly Muslim country , and some controversy.
Critics see it as a calculated tactic by Ennahdha to regain power and to restore its reputation among Western allies like the United States . Others however see it as an example of Tunisia ’s long- standing traditions of tolerance.
A sewing machine salesman and repairman, 56-year - old Slama says he just wants to serve his country and the city where he was born, suffering from economic difficulties and social tensions.
“ I chose Ennahdha because I found that because of the crisis the country is going through , everyone is turning toward this party,” he told The Associated Press in his workshop .
“ I see no difference between the Islamic and Judaic religions . We are all one family and we are all Tunisian citizens and we should go hand in hand to build the Tunisia of tomorrow, ” he said.
Slama returned to Monastir , on the Mediterranean coast about 170 kilometers (105 miles ) south of the capital , Tunis , after studying in the French city of Strasbourg even as other Jewish families left because “ we love the city and it has the spirit of my ancestors .”
Tunisia is home to an estimated 1 ,500 Jews nationwide. Monastir “ used to have 520 Jewish families . Today mine is the only one left,” Slama said.
He wants to enter public service because he sees towns and cities “ as essential in the evolution of society. ”
Tunisia is holding its first municipal elections since the 2011 revolution that overthrew a long-time autocrat and unleashed uprisings across the Arab world . Tunisia is the only country to emerge with a new and carefully constructed democracy , though the going has been rough .
Ennahdha , banned under the old regime , was victorious in the first post - revolution elections but had to abandon power in 2013 amid a political crisis after the assassination of two opposition politicians and a rise in Islamic fundamentalism .
The party leadership wants it to come out on top in the municipal vote, considered a springboard for legislative and presidential elections next year .
It’ s the only party with candidates in all 350 municipalities , and also drew attention for putting a woman at the head of its party list in the capital , positioning Souad Abderrahim to become the city ’s first female mayor if it wins .
The party’s Monastir leader, Adel Messaoud , insisted that they accepted Slama’s candidacy because it “ conforms with the positions of Ennahdha , which is a civilian party that opted during its last congress to separate its political action from ideological action .”
While acknowledging that the candidacy could seem “ a bit bizarre ,” he insisted that the controversy around it is unfounded .