Missionary at Home, Jihadist Abroad: A Profile of Tunisia's Abu Ayyad the Amir of Ansar al-Shari'ah
| Publisher | Jamestown Foundation |
| Publication Date | 30 April 2012 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | Volume: 3 Issue: 4 |
| Cite as | Jamestown Foundation, Missionary at Home, Jihadist Abroad: A Profile of Tunisia's Abu Ayyad the Amir of Ansar al-Shari'ah, 30 April 2012, Volume: 3 Issue: 4, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4fa7a67c2.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Comments | Aaron Zelin |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A month ago, thousands of Salafis from various organizations demonstrated in downtown Tunis in support of the Quran. Tens of individuals among them also brazenly climbed the famous clock tower and waved the black flag of Islam. Yet, among these Salafi organizations in Tunisia, there is one more radical than the others: Ansar al-Shariah in Tunisia (AST), which is led by Abu Ayyad al-Tunisi, a self proclaimed Salafi-jihadi with a checkered past linked to jihadi activities abroad. Although AST's postings on its Facebook page emphasize non-violent protest, and despite the group's involvement with aid caravans that have helped communities affected by poor weather this past winter, the background of Abu Ayyad may cause some to reassess his ultimate goals.
