Nahda’s handsome victory in Tunisia heralds a new dawn in the Muslim world. It secured 88 seats in the 217-seat assembly and gave a clear mandate by people in the first ever free and fair election. However, being short of clear majority it has to go for a coalition with one or two secular parties.
Now it is the test of Nahda (Renaissance) how it moves forward, retains popular support, fulfils the aspirations of the electorate and takes people towards greater commitment to Islam. Its success will be a source of inspiration for other people in the Muslim world who have been engaged in moving their societies towards real Islamic dispensations. They are yearning for an Islamic renaissance after decades of anti-Islam and anti-people regimes which have been functioning as mere puppets of western powers.
Nahda richly deserved the victory as it is the most well organised and ideologically sound party which is able to fulfil the aspirations of people. It waged a long struggle against dictatorship and paid a heavy price in terms of sacrifices. Its leader and ideologue Rachid Ghannouchi, a highly respected Islamic scholar, was banished and had to take refuge in England for more than two decades. Repressive measures against Nahda failed to deter its adherents and they continued their long and arduous struggle, kept the flame of hope burning and finally achieved success.
Nahda is burdened with the responsibility of not only fulfilling the aspirations of its supporters but also devising a way-out to mollify its detractors. Moreover, the country is faced with moral and economic crisis. The economic crisis has to be addressed first while safeguarding human rights and strengthening Islamic trends. Even a small mistake on its part will give the west and its fellow travellers in Tunisia an opportunity to make things more difficult.
It is quite understandable that Nahda has decided to adopt the Turkish model of gradual Islamisation. This is the best option in the present scenario in a sharply divided society. Nahda’s success in achieving its objective will certainly pave the way for bringing Islam to the fore and ushering in Islamic renaissance in spite of worst opposition of the west.