Madrasa Al Khaldounia or simply Khaldounia ( ar, الخلدونية) is the first modern school founded in

Tunisia ) , image_map = Tunisia location (orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = Location of Tunisia in northern Africa , image_map2 = , capital = Tunis , largest_city = capital , ...

on December 22, 1896. The

madrasa Madrasa (, also , ; Arabic: مدرسة , pl. , ) is the Arabic word for any type of educational institution, secular or religious (of any religion), whether for elementary instruction or higher learning. The word is variously transliterated '' ...

is a good example of

democracy Democracy (From grc, δημοκρατία, dēmokratía, ''dēmos'' 'people' and ''kratos'' 'rule') is a form of government in which people, the people have the authority to deliberate and decide legislation ("direct democracy"), or to choo ...

, as all its members and presidents were elected. It was a free, public and laic institution. For years, it published regularly a review to facilitate Franco-Tunisian exchanges. Nowadays, it is a bilingual library attached to the National Library of Tunisia.

History

Khaldounia was established by

Young Tunisians The Young Tunisians ( ar, حركة الشباب التونسى ') (french: Jeunes Tunisiens) was a Tunisian political party and political reform movement in the early 20th century. Its main goal was to advocate for reforms in the French protector ...

led by Bechir Sfar, who aimed to spread the scientific knowledge in the Arabic culture. He had the support of René Millet, the French resident-general in Tunisia who was in charge of writing the madrasa's status that excluded political and religious discussions and emphasized on the importance of critical thinking. Khaldounia.jpg, Entrance of the Khaldounia association Médersa El Khaldounia photo 2 المدرسة الخلدونية.JPG, Dead end of the madrasa Tunisia578.jpg, Marble plaque at the entrance of the Khaldounia Library Tunisia576.jpg, Decoration at the entrance

References

{{Authority control Madrasas in the medina of Tunis Libraries in Tunisia