Islamist protesters in Tunisia have been arrested after trying to set fire to a TV station which screened the award-winning animated film Persepolis.
Based on writer and co-director Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel, the Oscar-nominated animated tale follows a young girl as she comes of age against the backdrop of the Iranian revolution. Protesters said the film denigrated Islam and were particularly outraged by a scene in which God appears before Satrapi to teach her about forgiveness.
Police arrested around 50 Islamists before they could reach the offices of the Nessma private television channel, which broadcast Persepolis on Friday. "Three hundred people attacked our offices and tried to set fire to them," Nessma chairman Nebil Karoui told AFP.
Conservative Muslims have become increasingly vocal in Tunisia since the fall of long-time president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali following an uprising in January. However, the main Islamic party condemned the demonstration. Ennahda, which is expected to do well in elections for a constitutional assembly in a fortnight's time, described the incident as "isolated" and said it should not spark concern.
Elsewhere in the capital city of Tunis, hundreds of riot police used tear gas against Islamist protesters demanding the lifting of a ban on women wearing the niqab at university. They gathered outside the city's main university campus before heading to a neighbourhood named Jebel el-Ahmar, north of the city centre, where clashes broke out. Protesters attacked police with stones, knives and batons.
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This discussion is now closed for comments but you can still sign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussion next timeOrk852.
Democratic and free don't go hand in hand with "don't touch this subject"; they are contradictory.
What you have said in both your posts perfectly illustartes the point made by film director Terry Jones recently; Life of Brian could never be made now, the people involved would be in fear for their lives.
That is not freedom.
That is tyranny.
That certain Muslim countries/regimes see fit to exclude women from education is worthy of debate. Yes?
Or does that fall under the rule of not talking about "God, prophets, Qur'an, and holy places"?
In case you are wondering this is not an attack on Islam, the Christain right in the USA is similarly tyranical in it's approach.
I have no time for either.
Ork852, I think you accidentally wrote "Thank you" instead of "Or else".