₦airaland Forum

The fight for equality in the Arab world: Tunisia’s “Dirty Secret”: racism, Segregated Cemeteries, and the Fight for Equality

These days when people think of the Arab world,we think about the war in Gaza, the humanitarian crisis, the Arab Spring, Mediterranean beaches, the healthy Mediterranean diet and the significance of the region to most Abrahamic religious.

However, this article sheds light on a dark underbelly in the Arab world, specifically Tunisia, A nation that has a reputation as one of the more progressive countries in North Africa. But beneath that image lies a much less discussed reality: Tunisia has a long-standing problem with anti-Black racism that continues to shape everyday life for many of its citizens.

Two reports: Al Jazeera’s 2016 documentary “Tunisia’s Dirty Secret” and Al Arabiya’s 2018 feature on Black Tunisians , shed light on the issue. Both highlight a disturbing legacy that’s tied to Tunisia’s history with slavery (slavery was only officially abolished in 1846).

Segregated Cemeteries

In parts of Tunisia, especially in rural towns like Djerba, Black Tunisians (often descendants of enslaved people) are still buried in separate cemeteries or poorly maintained plots of land. Locals even refer to them as “slave cemeteries.” Meanwhile, nearby cemeteries for lighter-skinned Tunisians are better cared for and carry higher social status.

Municipal officials have admitted this segregation exists, but often chalk it up to “custom.” The practice is not written into Tunisian law — in fact, national law prohibits racial discrimination but the reality on the ground shows how deep the stigma runs.

Interracial Marriage

Both reports also show that marriage between Black and non-Black Tunisians remains socially taboo in many areas. Families sometimes reject or ostracize members who try to marry across color lines. The key point: interracial marriage is legal in Tunisia, but intense social prejudice can make it nearly impossible in practice for some couples.

Everyday Discrimination

The stories don’t stop at cemeteries or marriage. Black Tunisians describe being insulted in the street, called racial slurs like “abid” (slave), and treated as second-class citizens in their own country. The Al Jazeera piece even reported de facto segregation in schools and housing in some areas.

Legal Reforms vs. Social Reality

In 2018, Tunisia passed a landmark law criminalizing racial discrimination — the first of its kind in the Arab world. On paper, this was a huge step forward. In practice, though, enforcement is uneven, and centuries of social stigma don’t disappear overnight.

Why This Matters

Tunisia is often held up as a progressive example in the region, and in some ways that reputation is earned. But these reports show that progress isn’t evenly felt, and that Black Tunisians continue to fight for equality in ways that outsiders rarely hear about.

Tunisia may have progressive laws, but deep-rooted social customs still keep Black Tunisians marginalized.

https://english.alarabiya.net/features/2018/11/16/-WATCH-Black-Tunisians-enjoy-historic-law-but-still-push-for-equality

https://www.aljazeera.com/video/people-power/2016/3/17/tunisias-dirty-secret#flips-#%3A~%3Atext%3DWhile%20filming%20in%20Tunis%2C%20we%2Cfor%20occupation%20by%20black%20families:0

Mrchippychappy:
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Everyday Discrimination

The stories don’t stop at cemeteries or marriage. Black Tunisians describe being insulted in the street, called racial slurs like “abid” (slave), and treated as second-class citizens in their own country. The Al Jazeera piece even reported de facto segregation in schools and housing in some areas.

Interestingly, there is a place in Gaza that the Arabs "conveniently" named "Al-Abid" meaning the village of slaves, it is a place where most of the indigenous black Palestinians (11,000 in total) were forced to stay in and despite numerous complaints, the name of this village remains "Al-Abid"

https://www.google.com/amp/s/gulfnews.com/amp/story/world%252Fmena%252Fblack-palestinians-face-subtle-racism-in-gaza-1.2018514


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abeed

Seems like an interesting and informative read.

Coming back to this after my court sitting

Mrchippychappy:
Interestingly, there is a place in Gaza that the Arabs "conveniently" named "Al-Abid" meaning the village of slaves, it is a place where most of the indigenous black Palestinians (11,000 in total) were forced to stay in and despite numerous complaints, the name of this village remains "Al-Abid"

https://www.google.com/amp/s/gulfnews.com/amp/story/world%252Fmena%252Fblack-palestinians-face-subtle-racism-in-gaza-1.2018514


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abeed

Both Arabs and Jews are terrible human specimens. Reason why I don't care as they're killing each other. If Palestinians have the power, they'll do to Israel exactly what Israel is doing to them. Neither of the 2 deserves any pity.

I thought those lands original belongs to the blacks ,how come black Areas are called slaves Area.

Mrchippychappy:
Interestingly, there is a place in Gaza that the Arabs "conveniently" named "Al-Abid" meaning the village of slaves, it is a place where most of the indigenous black Palestinians (11,000 in total) were forced to stay in and despite numerous complaints, the name of this village remains "Al-Abid"

https://www.google.com/amp/s/gulfnews.com/amp/story/world%252Fmena%252Fblack-palestinians-face-subtle-racism-in-gaza-1.2018514


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abeed

ozowarac:
I thought those lands original belongs to the blacks ,how come black Areas are called slaves Area.

Same happened to the Polynesian population in NZ and Australia