I believe democracy will succeed in Tunisia, but I also believe that it will succeed in the other Arab Spring countries.

I dream of a free, democratic, peaceful Tunisia, a country that can protect its developing identity.

I believe that women should have equal rights to education, to work and to civic and political engagement.

The dictatorship needs to be entirely dismantled. All the rest of the old guard must go.

Al-Nahda is a movement; it is not just a small party.

I will not be standing for office. I'm nearing 70; there are younger people within our movement. I just wish to contribute intellectually to the historic process of taking Tunisia from the era of repression to one of democracy.

There is no one in al-Nahda that is violence is a means of change or to keep power. Everyone in al-Nahda believes that democracy is the only way to reach power and to stay in power.