On May 20, 2012, thousands of supporters of Ansar Al-Shari'a in Tunisia (AST), an extreme Salafi group headed by Abu 'Iyadh Al-Tunisi and known for its support of the mujahideen, rallied in Kairouan, Tunisia, bearing the black flags of Al-Qaeda and chanting slogans in support of jihad. AST is strictly anti-secular and, following the Jasmine Revolution, staunchly opposed any participation in the October 2011 elections, toeing a stricter Salafi line than its counterpart Al-Nahda, which won the same elections.[1]
The following are excerpts from the rally from a clip posted on the internet the day it was held.
Crowd: "Obama, Obama, we are all Osama…" (Continuous cheer, the slogan rhymes in Arabic obama, obama, kuluna osama) […]
Speaker: "Some Tunisians and some Muslims are afraid of the jihadists.
"We must ask, How come?
"Because the enemies have distorted the image of the jihadists, presenting them as the enemies of the Muslims.
"We say: no! Every Muslim is a jihadist.
"Every Muslim is a jihadist […]
"The enemies of Islam want us to be like sheep, to act like women.
"They want to deprive us of our will.
"They plundered Palestine and other lands and holy places.
"They want the jihadists behind bars.
"Why? So that the holy places will not be liberated?
"We are all jihadists, supporting Jerusalem, and elevating the word of Allah. […]
"Let us all cry 'Allah akbar' together, so that Obama the ape can hear us. All together now!
"Say 'Allah Akbar!'"
Crowd: "Allah Akbar."
Speaker: "Say 'Allah Akbar!'"
Crowd: "Allah Akbar."
Speaker: "Let America hear us!
"Say 'Allah Akbar!'"
Crowd: "Allahu Akbar."
Speaker: "Say 'Allah Akbar!'"
Crowd: "Allah Akbar."
Speaker: "Say 'Allah Akbar!'"
Crowd: "Allah Akbar."
Speaker: "Say 'Allah Akbar!'"
Crowd: "Allah Akbar"
Speaker: "We are coming, we are coming."
Crowd: "We are coming, we are coming."
Speaker: "We are coming, we are coming."
Crowd: "We are coming, we are coming."
Speaker: "Say 'Allah Akbar!'"
Crowd: "Allah Akbar."
Speaker: "Say 'Allah Akbar!'"
Crowd: "Allah Akbar."
Speaker: "Hear us Obama!
"Say 'Allah Akbar!'"
Crowd: "Allah Akbar."
(Men with covered faces do martial arts on stage in front of the crowd.)
Crowd: "Khaybar, Khaybar, oh Jews, the army of Muhammad is returning." (Slogan repeats and rhymes: jeisha Muhammad soufa y`aud.) (x5)
(After several minutes of demonstrating hand to hand combat, the men start demonstrating fighting with wooden swords.)
Speaker: "We want to convey a clear message one that will reach the heavens."
Speaker: "Say 'Allah Akbar!'"
Crowd: "Allah Akbar."
Speaker: "Say 'Allah Akbar!'"
Crowd: "Allah Akbar."
Speaker: "Say 'Allah Akbar!'"
Crowd: "Allah Akbar."
Crowd: "We respond to your call, Oh Allah!" (x3)
