The one way street sign is unfortunately somewhat representative of the relationship between the current Tunisian government and its people. It seems that for the Ennahda party, self-proclaimed “moderate” islamists who now run the country, dialogue is a concept little practiced by its representatives.

Today, a religious police was instated and one of the party’s representatives declared on the most widely listened to radio station that women who do not wear the veil will go to hell.

This article by Robert Fisk in the Independent depicts the fears experienced by many secularists in Tunisia, myself included. One year ago, I felt drunk with freedom. Today, I feel like I am living with the worst hangover for which no cure is strong enough.

Perhaps what is most frightening and veritably disheartening, and what I once rejected with absolution, is the thought that Tunisia is a truly conservative nation who would rather listen to preachers endorse female genital mutilation than watch Lebanese popstar sensation Nancy Ajram shake her much admired booty at the Carthage Summer Festival.