Thousands of conservative Muslims marched from Tunisia's capital of Tunis to Bardo on Saturday, as part of a protest against a government report on gender equality.The report by the Commission of Individual Liberties and Equality proposes, among other things, the legalisation of homosexuality and making the sexes equal in inheritance matters.The commission was put in place a year ago by President Beji Caid Essebsi.The protest - organised by the National Coordination for the Defence of the Quran - remained largely calm and without incident, despite the high passions felt by Tunisia's religious right over the issues.It follows a similar demonstration earlier this month, when hundreds protested against proposed reforms of women's and LGBT rights Tunisia has long been seen as a pioneer for women's rights in the Arab world, but campaigners say the country is still torn between conservative and progressive camps In September, the government scrapped a law that prohibited Tunisian Muslim women from marrying non-Muslim men, a significant step in loosening the tight controls over women's life choices.The government is also visibly taking steps to address the country's epidemic of gender-based violence , passing a landmark law in July which meant that rapists could no longer escape punishment by marrying their victims.Similar laws were also passed in Lebanon , Morocco, Egypt and Jordan.</s>Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists have held a protest in front of the Tunisian parliament to decry proposals in a government report on gender equality.

Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists have held a protest in front of the Tunisian parliament to decry proposals in a government report on gender equality.

Thousands of men and veiled women marched on Saturday under a blazing sun from Tunis to Bardo, outside the capital where the parliament is located, to protest against the report by the Commission of Individual Liberties and Equality.

The report, among other things, calls for legalising homosexuality and making the sexes equal in regards to inheritance.

Security was heavy during the protest, which remained calm despite the anger that the report has triggered.

The protest was organised by the National Co-ordination for the Defence of the Koran, the Muslim holy book.

The commission was put in place a year ago by President Beji Caid Essebsi.</s>Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists protested Saturday in front of the nation's parliament to decry proposals in a government report on gender equality that they claim are contrary to Islam.

Men and veiled women marched under a blazing sun from Tunis to Bardo, outside the capital where the parliament is located, to protest the report by the Commission of Individual Liberties and Equality. The report, among other things, calls for legalizing homosexuality and giving the sexes equal inheritance rights.

Security was heavy during the protest, which remained calm despite the anger the report has triggered. The crowd, who came from towns around Tunisia, cried out "Allahu akbar (God is great)" as they marched.

The protest was organized by the National Coordination for the Defense of the Quran, the Constitution and Equitable Development.

The commission was put in place a year ago by President Beji Caid Essebsi, who is expected to speak about it on Monday, Women's Day in Tunisia. It was not immediately clear whether the proposals would eventually be put before parliament.

The North African nation has, since its independence from France in 1956, been a standard-bearer in the Muslim world for women's rights. But the proposals in the 300-page report, known as the Colibe report, would take human rights, including women's rights, to another level. It proposes to end the death penalty and legalize homosexuality, which the current penal code outlaws and punishes with three years in prison.

The equal inheritance proposal is an abrupt change from current practices, which see males in a family receiving double the inheritance of females.

The topics touching on sensitive areas have riled Muslims who embrace a literal reading of the Quran, the Muslim holy book.

"I'm here to defend the word of God and oppose any projects that harm the Islamic identity of our people," said Kamel Raissi, a 65-year-old retiree.

"We totally reject the Colibe report which contains an underhanded hate for Islam," said Abdellatif Oueslati, a nurse from Jendouba, 155 kilometers (95 miles) west of Tunis.

The authors of the report say the proposals conform with the nation's 2014 Constitution and international human rights obligations.

"They in no way contravene Islamic precepts, but embody an enlightened reading of these precepts, which put them in step with the evolution of society," said Abdelmajid Charfi, a university professor who is one of the report's authors.

Protesters at Saturday's rally were not convinced.

Tarek Azouz worried that the proposals amounted to a "wish to destroy moral values" by legalizing homosexuality. If acted upon, he said, "we'll end up with gay marriage."</s>Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists have held an hours-long protest in front of the nation's parliament to decry proposals in a government report on gender equality.

Thousands of men and veiled women marched Saturday under a blazing sun from Tunis to Bardo, outside the capital where the parliament is located, to protest the report by the Commission of Individual Liberties and Equality. The report, among other things, calls for legalizing homosexuality and making the sexes equal in regards to inheritance.

Security was heavy during the protest, which remained calm despite the anger that the report has triggered. The protest was organized by the National Coordination for the Defense of the Quran, the Muslim holy book.

The commission was put in place a year ago by President Beji Caid Essebsi.</s>BARDO, Tunisia (AP) - Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists have held an hours-long protest in front of the nation's parliament to decry proposals in a government report on gender equality.

Thousands of men and veiled women marched Saturday under a blazing sun from Tunis to Bardo, outside the capital where the parliament is located, to protest the report by the Commission of Individual Liberties and Equality. The report, among other things, calls for legalizing homosexuality and making the sexes equal in regards to inheritance.

Security was heavy during the protest, which remained calm despite the anger that the report has triggered. The protest was organized by the National Coordination for the Defense of the Quran, the Muslim holy book.

The commission was put in place a year ago by President Beji Caid Essebsi.

People demonstrate, one with a poster reading "No to change God's speech" during a demonstration in Tunis, Saturday Aug 11, 2018. Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists have held an hours-long protest in front of the nation's parliament to decry proposals in a government report on gender equality. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi)

People demonstrate with a banner reading "Quran text before any other text" during a demonstration in Tunis, Saturday Aug 11, 2018. Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists have held an hours-long protest in front of the nation's parliament to decry proposals in a government report on gender equality. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi)</s>Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists have held a protest in front of the Tunisian parliament to decry proposals in a government report on gender equality.

Thousands of men and veiled women marched on Saturday under a blazing sun from Tunis to Bardo, outside the capital where the parliament is located, to protest against the report by the Commission of Individual Liberties and Equality.

People demonstrate with a banner reading ‘Koran text before any other text’ (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi)

The report, among other things, calls for legalising homosexuality and making the sexes equal in regards to inheritance.

Security was heavy during the protest, which remained calm despite the anger that the report has triggered.

The protest was organised by the National Co-ordination for the Defence of the Koran, the Muslim holy book.

The commission was put in place a year ago by President Beji Caid Essebsi.</s>BARDO, Tunisia — Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists protested Saturday in front of the nation’s parliament to decry proposals in a government report on gender equality that they claim are contrary to Islam.

Men and veiled women marched under a blazing sun from Tunis to Bardo, outside the capital where the parliament is located, to protest the report by the Commission of Individual Liberties and Equality. The report, among other things, calls for legalizing homosexuality and giving the sexes equal inheritance rights.

Security was heavy during the protest, which remained calm despite the anger the report has triggered. The crowd, who came from towns around Tunisia, cried out “Allahu akbar (God is great)” as they marched.

The protest was organized by the National Coordination for the Defense of the Quran, the Constitution and Equitable Development.

The commission was put in place a year ago by President Beji Caid Essebsi, who is expected to speak about it Monday, Women’s Day in Tunisia. It was not immediately clear whether the proposals would eventually be put before parliament.

The North African nation has, since its independence from France in 1956, been a standard-bearer in the Muslim world for women’s rights. But the proposals in the 300-page report, known as the Colibe report, would take human rights, including women’s rights, to another level. It proposes to end the death penalty and legalize homosexuality, which the current penal code punishes with three years in prison.

The equal inheritance proposal is an abrupt change from current practices, which see males in a family receiving double the inheritance of females.

The topics touching on sensitive areas have riled Muslims who embrace a literal reading of the Quran, the Muslim holy book.

The authors of the report say the proposals conform with the nation’s 2014 Constitution and international human rights obligations.</s>People demonstrate with a banner reading "Quran text before any other text" during a demonstration in Tunis, Saturday Aug 11, 2018. Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists have held an hours-long protest in front of the nation's parliament to decry proposals in a government report on gender equality. less

People demonstrate with a banner reading "Quran text before any other text" during a demonstration in Tunis, Saturday Aug 11, 2018. Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists have held an hours-long protest in front ... more

A person holds a copy of theQuran during a demonstration in Tunis, Saturday Aug 11, 2018. Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists have held an hours-long protest in front of the nation's parliament to decry proposals in a government report on gender equality. less

A person holds a copy of theQuran during a demonstration in Tunis, Saturday Aug 11, 2018. Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists have held an hours-long protest in front of the nation's parliament to decry ... more

A man shouts during a demonstration in Tunis, Saturday Aug 11, 2018. Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists have held an hours-long protest in front of the nation's parliament to decry proposals in a government report on gender equality. less

A man shouts during a demonstration in Tunis, Saturday Aug 11, 2018. Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists have held an hours-long protest in front of the nation's parliament to decry proposals in a government ... more

People demonstrate, one with a poster reading "No to change God's speech" during a demonstration in Tunis, Saturday Aug 11, 2018. Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists have held an hours-long protest in front of the nation's parliament to decry proposals in a government report on gender equality. less

People demonstrate, one with a poster reading "No to change God's speech" during a demonstration in Tunis, Saturday Aug 11, 2018. Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists have held an hours-long protest in front of ... more

People demonstrate in Tunis, Saturday Aug 11, 2018. Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists have held an hours-long protest in front of the nation's parliament to decry proposals in a government report on gender equality. less

People demonstrate in Tunis, Saturday Aug 11, 2018. Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists have held an hours-long protest in front of the nation's parliament to decry proposals in a government report on gender ... more

BARDO, Tunisia (AP) — Thousands of Muslim fundamentalists protested Saturday in front of the nation's parliament to decry proposals in a government report on gender equality that they claim are contrary to Islam.

Men and veiled women marched under a blazing sun from Tunis to Bardo, outside the capital where the parliament is located, to protest the report by the Commission of Individual Liberties and Equality. The report, among other things, calls for legalizing homosexuality and giving the sexes equal inheritance rights.

Security was heavy during the protest, which remained calm despite the anger the report has triggered. The crowd, who came from towns around Tunisia, cried out "Allahu akbar (God is great)" as they marched.

The protest was organized by the National Coordination for the Defense of the Quran, the Constitution and Equitable Development.

The commission was put in place a year ago by President Beji Caid Essebsi, who is expected to speak about it on Monday, Women's Day in Tunisia. It was not immediately clear whether the proposals would eventually be put before parliament.

The North African nation has, since its independence from France in 1956, been a standard-bearer in the Muslim world for women's rights. But the proposals in the 300-page report, known as the Colibe report, would take human rights, including women's rights, to another level. It proposes to end the death penalty and legalize homosexuality, which the current penal code outlaws and punishes with three years in prison.

The equal inheritance proposal is an abrupt change from current practices, which see males in a family receiving double the inheritance of females.

The topics touching on sensitive areas have riled Muslims who embrace a literal reading of the Quran, the Muslim holy book.

"I'm here to defend the word of God and oppose any projects that harm the Islamic identity of our people," said Kamel Raissi, a 65-year-old retiree.

"We totally reject the Colibe report which contains an underhanded hate for Islam," said Abdellatif Oueslati, a nurse from Jendouba, 155 kilometers (95 miles) west of Tunis.

The authors of the report say the proposals conform with the nation's 2014 Constitution and international human rights obligations.

"They in no way contravene Islamic precepts, but embody an enlightened reading of these precepts, which put them in step with the evolution of society," said Abdelmajid Charfi, a university professor who is one of the report's authors.

Protesters at Saturday's rally were not convinced.

Tarek Azouz worried that the proposals amounted to a "wish to destroy moral values" by legalizing homosexuality. If acted upon, he said, "we'll end up with gay marriage."</s>Thousands of conservative Tunisians on Saturday took to the streets to protest a proposal for a series of constitutional amendments in the areas of gender equality and human rights.

The non-governmental National Coordination for the Defense of the Qur'an, the Constitution and Equitable Development organized the demonstration against the report issued by the Individual Freedoms and Equality Committee (COLIBE).
Thousands of people protest in Tunis against a government report on gender equality that proposes, among other things, to legalize homosexuality and to make the sexes equal in inheritance matters.