Missionary at Home, Jihadist Abroad: A Profile of Tunisia’s Abu Ayyad the Amir of Ansar al-Shari‘ah

Abu Ayyad al-Tunisi

A month ago, thousands of Salafis from various organizations demonstrated in downtown Tunis in support of the Qur‘an. Tens of individuals among them also brazenly climbed the famous clock tower and waved the black flag of Islam. Yet, among these Salafi organizations in Tunisia, there is one more radical than the others: Ansar al-Shari‘ah in Tunisia (AST), which is led by Abu Ayyad al-Tunisi, a self proclaimed Salafi-jihadi with a checkered past linked to jihadi activities abroad. Although AST’s postings on its Facebook page emphasize non-violent protest, and despite the group’s involvement with aid caravans that have helped communities affected by poor weather this past winter, the background of Abu Ayyad may cause some to reassess his ultimate goals.