“They struggle to cut hands and heads and we struggle to keep heads high and hands raised.”
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Habib Bourguiba
Habib Bourguiba was a Tunisian politician and statesman who served as the prime minister of the Kingdom of Tunisia from 1956 to 1957, and then as the first president of Tunisia from 1957 to 1987. Prior to his presidency, he led the nation to independence from France, ending the 75-year-old protectorate and earning the title of "Supreme Combatant".
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politics · President of Tunisia from 1957 to 1987 · politician · lawyer · also Habib Bourguiba, Habib Ben Ali Bourguiba, Bourguiba
Born 3 August 1903 · Died 6 April 2000 · Q643348
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En-us-Habib Bourguiba from Tunisia pronunciation (Voice of America)
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2026· 3 entries
“When a house is on fire, the neighbors' duty is to put it out. ... I hate colonialism, not the French.”
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“The relationship between a woman and a man is built on the basis of mutual respect .. The woman is not required to bury herself in life because the man is unable to control his instincts like animals .. The woman raises the man's face, hair, height, width, smell, and even the voice of her is roughened, but the woman has learned to control her instincts. The man is also required to rise to the level of the woman.”
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2011· 2 entries
“At the moment of a revolution there is no question of setting up a democracy like that in America. If they accuse me of dictatorship, I accept. I am creating a nation. Liberty must be suppressed until the end of the war in Algeria—until the nation becomes homogeneous.”
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“Yes, I am Western, and I will remain so.”
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2000· 1 entry
Died 2000-04-06.
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1983· 1 entry
Awarded Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic presented by Juan Carlos I of Spain (1983).
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1978· 1 entry
Bourguiba was obliged to denounce the Camp David Accords under the pressure of his partners, which had a part in Tunisia welcoming the headquarters of the Arab League then those of the Palestine Liberation Organization
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1974· 1 entry
Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz accused him of apostasy
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1968· 1 entry
Awarded Collar of the Spanish Order of the Civil Merit presented by Francisco Franco (1968).
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1963· 3 entries
Awarded Knight of the Order of the Elephant (1963).
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Awarded Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose of Finland (1963).
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Awarded Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Saint Olav (1963).
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1962· 2 entries
Awarded Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (1962).
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“We have the proof that our disagreement with the U.A.R. is more than a simple misunderstanding.”
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1958· 4 entries
“How many times, have I had to seat women whom I received at audiences next to me, rather than facing me, in order to avoid general embarrassment? Nothing should compel us to suffer such trials. It puts the nerves of men and the modesty of women to a severe test.”
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“I have carried this abscess too far, Tunisia is going through a difficult period. Freedom is dangerous.”
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The Arabic teaching of Ez-Zitouna University was unified into a bilingual educative system
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“You are wrong. The state and its existence are essential before everything else. All this preoccupation with liberty is not serious.”
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1957· 6 entries
Awarded Grand Cross of the Order of Wissam Alaouite (1957).
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Career landmark: President of Tunisia (1957–1987).
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“I will impose women's freedom and rights by the force of the law, and I will not wait for the democracy of a people duped by male culture in the name of religion.”
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“Bourguiba is terribly awkward, but he said what most of us believe. The Egyptians take millions from the Communists and have the nerve to call us lackeys for accepting a penny from America.”
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“The only Jews who interest us are our fellow citizens. ... Basically and profoundly, we are with the West.”
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“While I am alive, not a hair on Jewish heads will be touched.”
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1956· 5 entries
Career landmark: Speaker of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People (1956–1956).
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Bourguiba was appointed prime minister by king Muhammad VIII al-Amin and acted as de facto ruler before proclaiming the Republic on 25 July 1957
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Career landmark: Minister of Defence (1956–1957).
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Career landmark: Minister of Foreign Affairs (1956–1957).
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Career landmark: Prime Minister of Tunisia (1956–1957).
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1949· 1 entry
And rose to prominence as the leader of the national movement
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1945· 1 entry
Following Bourguiba's release, he moved to Cairo, Egypt to seek the support of the Arab League
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1934· 1 entry
Bourguiba was opposed to any concession
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1927· 1 entry
During summer vacations back in Tunis, he learned that she was pregnant: Habib Bourguiba Jr., his only child, was born on 9 April 1927 in Paris.
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1925· 3 entries
While tidying his room, Bourguiba found the address of a woman his protector suggested he meet: Mathilde Lefras, a 35-year-old widow whose husband died during the war
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While a student in Paris, Habib Bourguiba met Mathilde Lorrain with whom he settled
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In 1925, while a student in Paris, Habib Bourguiba met Mathilde Lorrain with whom he settled.
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1924· 1 entry
Sat for his baccalaureate and obtained outstanding marks with honours
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1922· 1 entry
When Naceur Bey threatened to abdicate because of resident-general Lucien Saint's maneuvers, public opinion decided to mobilize for this nationalist bey
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1917· 1 entry
Which would have allowed him to get an administrative function
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1903· 1 entry
Born 1903-08-03.
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