KAIROUAN

Kairouan, also known as Kirwan or al-Qayrawan, is the capital of the Kairouan Governorate in Tunisia. Referred to as the Islamic Cultural Capital, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city was founded by the Arabs around 670. In the period of Caliph Mu'awiya (reigned 661-680), it became an important centre for Islamic and Quranic learning, and thus attracting a large number of Muslims from various parts of the world, next only to Mecca and Medina. The holy Mosque of Uqba is situated in the city.

This year, for the second year running, and  during the week of 14-20 October, Kairouan partners  the  ELDW  in organizing an “Arab Week of Local Democracy”. The aim is to encourage local citizen participation in debates, conferences and seminars on local democracy issues and to meet  with local decision-makers.