Habib Bourguiba Quotes

Tunisian politician (1903–2000)

Habib Bourguiba (3 August 1903 – 6 April 2000) was the first President of Tunisia, from July 25, 1957 until 7 November 1987, when he was removed from office in a coup d'état.

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Alternative Names: Habib Ben Ali Bourguiba

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I do not think that the time is right to talk about democracy in its absolute concept. Arab societies marginalized their modern thinkers and scholars for the elders who stopped their time before fourteen centuries, which is the difference between us and them .. Therefore, it was necessary to work on spreading a more realistic culture in which modern science has a more open place. Take, for example, if we asked the Tunisian people (he meant former President Bourguiba then and not now) to hold a referendum on his position on women's education, then I can assure that 99.99% will refuse her education.

I will impose women's freedom and rights by the force of the law, and I will not wait for the democracy of a people duped by male culture in the name of religion.

Bourguiba warning the French:
"it will mean war. ... Today I am the President of the Republic, but I will be the first to join the Maquis. ... Tunisia is always ready to turn the page. ... I have promised the Tunisian people that the French army will go, If I fail, I will be swept away."