No one in al-Nahda believes that jihad is a way to impose Islam on the world. But we believe that jihad is self-control, is social and political struggle, and even military jihad is only a way to defend oneself in the case of aggression.

We in Tunisia have no problem with respecting other peoples religion, and we have a long tradition of that.

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

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

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

Just like in medicine, when the normal medicine no longer works, one resorts to surgery. And the revolutions is like the surgery: Its painful, and its the last resort for nations.

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