Miss Pompadour, a former prostitute of Abdallah Guech Street. Photo published on the site harissa. Photo published on zizirider's blog. We have been unable to find recent photos of the alley. If you have any, or could take some, contact us at observers france Its clients were mostly Tunisians, both Jewish or Arabic. I repeat: authorised to work, with papers to prove that they are healthy. Imagine a country which allows prostitution and bans polygamy, does this not warrant the wrath of God?
What exactly are you trying to do, please the West? My profile Contribute Logout. This is highly unusual for an Arab country. The brothel is a fixture of Tunisian culture, and has been featured in several classic films. Previously, when sexuality was less liberal, it was known as a place of sexual initiation for young sons of wealthy Tunisians. Today, however, it is mainly visited by those of more limited means. In Abdallah Guech prostitution is legal, and the sex-workers receive regular medical check-ups.
The street remains controverisal, however, and several Facebook groups have been created to demand its removal. Zizirider, 40, a blogger in Tunis. I used to pass by it on my way to high school [Carnot School as it was, now Bouguiba School] and the police would move us on because we were too young. The Abdallah Guech alley is very narrow. It is hidden, there are no window fronts or neon, like in Brussels or Amsterdam. There are more people in the adjacent roads, mainly men, but apart from that, it is all very discreet.
Along the street there are little cubicles every metres and, through a half-open door, you can see the scantily dressed prostitutes sitting on chairs, awaiting clients. There are rarely any younger ones. They often come from poor backgrounds. They use local services and get regular free health check-ups. Quirkiest of all is that their identity cards state that they are Interior Ministry employees.
That is so that they avoid being hassled and helps them dealing with the authorities. It is said that in exchange, they sometimes tip off the police. The women pay taxes, a system that is unique in Arab countries. Some satellite channels in the Gulf severely criticise Tunisia because of this street. There is one radical cleric in particular who accuses the country of going against the precepts of Islam for allowing prostitution but not polygamy. However, I believe, that Tunisia may be proud that it protects its prostitutes as they do.
