Tunisian community in Umbria, we exist
and we contribute to society
Tunisian community in Umbria – On behalf of myself and the Tunisian community we express our regret for what happened yesterday morning in Perugia, during the discussion between the candidates for the office of mayor of the city. In particular, we are incredulous at what was stated by Mrs. Margherita Scoccia, who aspires to the position of first citizen and already holds the position of Councilor, according to which we Tunisians are a gang of drug dealers who held Perugia hostage until 2014.
It is very easy to point fingers, much more difficult to provide proof of the accusations being made. We demand his respect and his attention, Mrs. Scoccia: we exist. We have been part of this community for almost thirty years.
Some of our children studied and graduated in this city. I invite you, Madam, to go to the Universities of Perugia to meet the Tunisian students who honor Tunisia and Italy. In our community there are doctors, entrepreneurs, lawyers, university professors and many honest workers, in every sector.
After your racist speech, which distorts and tarnishes the name of Tunisia and Tunisians, I invite you to reread the history of the Mediterranean. A history made up of profound relationships, which united Tunisia and Italy as early as 1800. One cannot lump everything together.
Why then? Each of us is responsible only for our own actions. Finally, Mrs Scoccia, for some, elections are a power game, which is won by leveraging people’s weaknesses and fears, through populist and hateful rhetoric. Without thinking about the effect that these words have on the many young Italian-Tunisians, with dual citizenship, born and raised in Perugia.
Boys and girls who love His land, our land. We, Mrs. Scoccia, as an association and as a community, dream of a more beautiful, bright future that unites everyone under the Italian flag. Without racism and offenses.
Hanane Aloui president of the Tunisian community association in Umbria
