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March 12: In the ceremonial hall, members of the Tunisian security forces—in this case, the army—take their places for the ceremony. At the Presidential Palace in Carthage, the President of the Republic presided over a Tunisian flag-raising ceremony. During the ceremony, Moncef Marzouki awarded a medal to student Khaoula Rchidi and issued a message to anyone who defiles the flag, “a symbol of a Muslim people.” Last week was marked by incidents that took place at the University of Mannouba. The young student, Khaoula Rchidi, who was awarded the Order of the Republic, was moved: “I didn’t think twice; I saw what he was doing and reacted immediately. I’m from Gafsa and I’m hot-blooded. Maybe that’s why I stepped in. Our flag is precious; we must not neglect it.” After the speech, the national anthem was sung with great emotion by those present. Khaoula Rchidi was then welcomed into the Golden Salon and honored by the president: “What she did was exceptional; she defended Tunisia. It was moral strength against physical force,” he acknowledged. Amel Aloui, a student and member of the UGET who was assaulted during the incidents at the University of Mannouba, also met with Moncef Marzouki and was applauded by those present.

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