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Caïd Essebsi chairs commemoration ceremony of April 9, 1938 events

Published the:  09/04/2019

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(TAP)- An official ceremony was held Tuesday at the Martyrs' Square in Séjoumi to observe the 81st anniversary of April 9, 1938 events.

The ceremony was chaired by President of the Republic Béji Caïd Essebsi, in the presence notably of Prime Minister Youssef Chahed and Speaker of the House of People's Representatives Mohamed Ennaceur.

Caïd Essebsi laid a wreath at the memorial of martyrs and recited the Fatiha in their memory.

Caid Essebsi, Chahed and Ennaceur as well as National Defence Minister Abdelkrim Zbidi saluted the flag as the national anthem was performed and reviewed a detachment of the three armies that paid them honours.

The ceremony was attended by Mufti of the Republic Othman Battikh, government members, presidents of political parties, representatives of national organisations and high-ranking army officials.

April 9, 1938 events were a turning point in the history of the struggle for national liberation that ushered in far-reaching political changes and were crowned by independence on March 20, 1956.

Thousands of Tunisians took to the streets on April 9, 1938 in two marches led by Ali Belhouane and Mongi Slim.

Several icons of the national movement were arrested during these events which saw women's unprecedented participation