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Tunisia to Reopen Mosques on Monday

Members of the Tunisian security forces stand guard on Habib Bourguiba avenue in the capital Tunis on October 29, 2020, after new security measures were taken by the authorities in a bid to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. / AFP / FETHI BELAID
Members of the Tunisian security forces stand guard on Habib Bourguiba avenue in the capital Tunis on October 29, 2020, after new security measures were taken by the authorities in a bid to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. / AFP / FETHI BELAID
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Tunisia to Reopen Mosques on Monday

Members of the Tunisian security forces stand guard on Habib Bourguiba avenue in the capital Tunis on October 29, 2020, after new security measures were taken by the authorities in a bid to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. / AFP / FETHI BELAID
Members of the Tunisian security forces stand guard on Habib Bourguiba avenue in the capital Tunis on October 29, 2020, after new security measures were taken by the authorities in a bid to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. / AFP / FETHI BELAID

The Tunisian Minister of Religious Affairs, Ahmed Adhoum, announced during a press conference that mosques will reopen starting Monday, November 23.

He further called for full compliance with protective measures to stem the spread of the pandemic.

COVID-19 has claimed the lives of five religious officials, while 105 contracted the virus, the minister said.

Tunisia has more than 81,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with above 56,000 recoveries and 2,445 deaths. A total of 1,542 were admitted to hospitals, of which 272 in ICU and 138 patients on ventilators.

In the same context, Health Minister Fawzi al-Mahdi said that the authorities will lend an ear to the concerns of several social and economic sectors including restaurants, cafes, and mosques.

The health minister noted that a full lift of the extraordinary health restrictions is unlikely in the meantime.

The scientific committee to combat the coronavirus revealed that restrictions could be eased in case of achieving slight progress. The committee will carry out an assessment after two weeks and will take the necessary decisions based on the outcome.

Dr. Zakir Laheeb stated that Tunisia has witnessed progress in its fight against the pandemic, lauding the prompt measures taken by the Tunisian authorities. Tunisia saved the lives of at least 3,000, according to Laheeb.

The country was recording 50-60 deaths on a daily basis in Oct. but this caseload dropped to half, he added.

Tunisia introduced new COVID-19 restrictions in a bid to slow the rate of new cases from Oct. 29 until Mid-Nov. It extended these measures for three more weeks.

Among the procedures are night-time curfew and a ban on inter-region travel. Cafes and restaurants are to shut from 4:00 pm, and gatherings of more than four people are banned in public spaces, excluding on public transport.

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Arab World

Lebanon Sends Message of Confidence with First Local Elections

A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Lebanon Sends Message of Confidence with First Local Elections

A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Lebanon completed the first phase of its municipal and mayoral elections on Sunday, in a vote overseen by political and security authorities and hailed by officials as transparent.

The polls mark the country’s first electoral process under President Joseph Aoun, who sought to reassure voters that “the state is serious about safeguarding their right to express their views through the ballot box.”

Aoun described the vote’s integrity as a “message of trust to the world that Lebanon is beginning to recover, rebuild its institutions, and is now on the right track.”

Sunday’s vote covered Mount Lebanon province, the most populous region in the country.

The area includes a mix of religious and political affiliations, including Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold heavily damaged during Israel’s bombardment in the latest war on Lebanon.

Aoun made a field visit on Sunday to oversee Lebanon’s first municipal and mayoral elections since 2016, following years of delays caused by the country’s prolonged political and economic crises.

The president began his tour at the Ministry of Interior, where he met with Interior Minister Ahmed Al-Hajjar and Justice Minister Adel Nassar. The discussions focused on measures in place to safeguard the electoral process from any security or legal disruptions.

Both ministers assured the president of their full preparedness to address any challenges that may arise during the first phase of the vote, held in Mount Lebanon province.

Speaking to staff in the central operations room, Aoun called for “active and serious efforts” to ensure a smooth electoral process and to reassure citizens that the state is committed to protecting their right to vote freely.

He also urged voters to participate in large numbers and resist pressures based on sectarian, political or financial influences. “Do not let sectarian, partisan, or monetary factors sway your choice,” Aoun said.

Local elections were held across the districts of Jbeil, Keserwan, Metn, Aley, Baabda, and Chouf - areas where family and clan loyalties often outweigh political or sectarian affiliations in Lebanon’s complex electoral landscape.

As of late afternoon, with three hours remaining before polls closed, the Interior Ministry reported varying voter turnout rates across Mount Lebanon province.

Keserwan led with more than 53% turnout, followed by Jbeil nearing 50%. Aley registered 36.66%, Chouf 38%, Baabda 33.11%, and Northern Metn around 33%.