Al-Zaytuna Mosque, or Mosque of Olives

Wikipedia: "Al-Zaytuna Mosque, or Ez-Zitouna or Ezzitouna Mosque (Arabic: جامع الزيتونة‎, literally meaning the Mosque of Olive) is a major mosque in Tunis, near the northern coast of Africa. The mosque is the oldest in the Capital of Tunisia and covers an area of 5,000 square metres (1.2 acres) with nine entrances. It has 160 authentic columns brought originally from the ruins of the old city of Carthage. The mosque is known to host one of the first and greatest universities in the history of Islam. Many Muslim scholars were graduated from the Al-Zaytuna for over a thousand years. From Ibn 'Arafa, one of the greatest scholars of Islam, Imam Maziri, the great traditionalist and jurist to the famous Tunisian poet Aboul-Qacem Echebbi and countless others all taught there."

Wow! I'm proud to be a "Tunisian" Muslim!!!

Courtyard of the Mosque...

The Stunning Minaret...

 

 

View just from outside the Mosque - This is the "Medina..."

Sidi Bou!

After touring Carthage, we went to dine in Sidi Bou Said, one of the most famous tourist attraction in Tunisia. This town in northern Tunisia (it is located only 20 km from the capital of Tunisia, Tunis) is known for its use of only blue and white colors for almost all building all over the town. It might sound a bit weird that although Sidi Bou (like many Tunisians call it) is a famous attraction, staying there for a few days is not common, as the town is very small for hotels to be built in. So, most people come during the day. You can find all kinds of souvenirs in Sidi Bou Said - some not even remotely connected to Sidi Bou Said and sometimes not to Tunisia itself...I saw tourists from almost all over the world; Libyans and Syrians (lots of them escaping the hell in their countries), Algerians, Africans, Saudis, Emirates, Kuwaitis, Americans, and lots of Western Europeans...We had sandwiches and then I went to order a fruit shake. There, I met an American guy who happened to be working at the American Embassy in Tunisia, and we talked for a few minutes. Came to find out that he has done research at K-State - Small World!

  My cool fruit shake - Can't describe how delicious it was!!

Must point out though, that upon our arrival to the town, there was a group of people marching in a mass demonstration. The group called themselves "The Independent Democrats." I asked some of them about why they thought they'd ought to be here, and they said that they were just fed up and confused of the way so many groups and parties that were emerging just after the revolution, and of their agendas and conditions they place on people before they can join them. They said all they are about is protecting the country form "splitting up" and that anyone is welcomed to join! I just thought that was amazing! We me as the group was coming up the hill of Sidi Bou Said, while were going down. Cars were everywhere, so all I could get of this was a picture of the poster they were carrying...