Arabization and Cultural Identity in Tunisia

Shift in Debates as Seen Through Fikr Magazine

Abstract

This paper examines the background and debates surrounding the Arabization of education in Tunisia during the late 1970s, focusing on discussions in the literary magazine Fikr between 1958–1961 and 1968–1972. While previous studies have predominantly analyzed the Arabization policy from a political perspective, this paper highlights the significant role of cultural identity transformations in Tunisian society.

In the earlier period (1958–1961), Fikr featured debates on modernizing the Arabic language to meet contemporary needs, addressing issues such as the gap between Classical Arabic and colloquial dialects and the limitations of the Arabic script. Despite these challenges, Tunisia’s cultural affiliation remained firmly with the Arab-Islamic world.

By the late 1960s and early 1970s, intellectuals such as Mohamed Mzali and Bechir Ben Slama began to emphasize Tunisia’s unique cultural identity, asserting that Arab-Islamic elements were central to its formation. They linked patriotism, Islam, and Arabic and advocated for an educational system that reflected these values.

The study concludes that the Arabization of education was not merely a political maneuver but was closely tied to shifts in cultural identity, aiming to reinforce national unity and a sense of belonging. This analysis underscores the importance of considering cultural and social contexts in understanding Tunisia’s educational and language policies.