Raja El Almi, born on 22 June 1955 in Tunis, is a Tunisian journalist and writer. Her academic achievements distinguished her from an early age. At just 17, she earned her high school diploma in literature with honors and the jury’s congratulations. She also achieved an exceptional score of 20/20 in the preliminary French examinations. These results earned her a government scholarship to study at Lycée Louis-le-Grand in Paris.

After a brief stay in Paris, however, she decided to return to Tunisia. She continued her studies at the Faculty of Letters in Tunis, where she pursued French literature.

Her beginnings in journalism

In early 1975, while still in her third year of university, Raja El Almi began working as a freelance journalist for Dialogue magazine. She initially contributed to its cultural section. There, she worked alongside several prominent figures in Tunisian journalism, including Abdelhamid Gmati (Miduni), Fathi Houidi, Ridha Najar, Raouf Najar, and cartoonist Ali Abid. The publication was then directed by Omar S’habou.

Her early work quickly attracted attention. One of her first articles covered a gala featuring Sabah Fakhri. Entitled “Encounter Between the Soul and Song,” the piece demonstrated her knowledge of musicology and Arabic literature. It also revealed her artistic sensitivity and distinctive writing style, which creatively combined French and Arabic.

As her career progressed, Raja El Almi became a respected voice in Tunisian journalistic and cultural circles. At Dialogue, she developed a reputation for detailed, uncompromising analyses of performances by leading Arab and international artists. Her subjects included Sabah Fakhri, Mounir Bachir, James Brown, and the Moroccan band Nas El Ghiwan.

At the same time, she supported numerous Tunisian artists. Among them were Taoufik Jebali, Fadhel Jaïbi, Anouar Brahem, and Lotfi Bouchnak.

Music criticism and television journalism

Beyond her written criticism, Raja El Almi participated in seminars and cultural events exploring the influence of Andalusian music on Maghreb culture. She often collaborated with leading specialists, including musicologist Salah El Mahdi.

She also hosted the magazine’s “Music” column and created a television review page entitled Variations. Through these initiatives, she expanded her coverage of music, performance, and broadcasting.

In 1978, at the age of 23, she was appointed Director of International Relations at Tunisian Radio and Television. In this role, she led negotiations for a partnership with France Télévisions, which resulted in the free broadcast of France 2 in Tunisia.

Nevertheless, she soon returned to journalism at Dialogue. She felt that the written press better suited her interests and strengths than an administrative position.

Leading Dialogue magazine

In 1979, following Omar S’habou’s departure, Hamadi Ben Hammed took over the magazine’s leadership. Raja El Almi assumed responsibility for the “Society” section while continuing to contribute to its cultural coverage. Shortly afterwards, she became editor-in-chief.

Her rise continued on 13 January 1981, when she was appointed Director of Dialogue at the age of 25. She held the position until July 1986, establishing herself as a significant figure in Tunisia’s media landscape.

Social commitments and political convictions

Raja El Almi’s outlook was deeply influenced by Habib Bourguiba, whose personality and work she greatly admired. She championed several social causes associated with the Tunisian president’s agenda, particularly literacy, girls’ education, women’s rights, access to contraception, and human development.

Her commitment extended beyond the pages of the magazine. She travelled throughout Tunisia, from Aïn Draham to Borj El Khadhra, to promote these causes and engage with communities across the country.

International reporting and political tensions

Raja El Almi also took part in official Tunisian delegations accompanying the prime minister on international visits. In 1982, she hosted Yasser Arafat in Bizerte during the Palestine Liberation Organization’s period of exile in Tunisia.

Her international reporting included a notable interview with Senegalese President Léopold Sédar Senghor. She also travelled to Pakistan to report on Afghan refugees and interviewed the Pakistani prime minister.

Her editorial work sometimes carried significant personal risks. During the Tunisian-Libyan crises, her outspoken articles, accompanied by satirical caricatures by Ali Abid, drew strong reactions. She was subsequently banned from entering Libya and received several death threats.

Municipal service and community initiatives

Alongside her journalistic career, Raja El Almi became involved in local government. From 1982 to 1987, she served as vice-president of the municipality of La Goulette, then led by Béji Caïd Essebsi.

Her community work also led her to co-found several initiatives that left a lasting mark on local cultural and economic life. These included the Fish Festival in La Goulette and the Tunis Computer and Office Technology Fair, organized under the Junior International Chamber.

Working alongside engineer Mokhtar Laatiri, she also played a role in introducing microcomputing and the internet to Tunisia.

Through journalism, cultural criticism, public service, and community initiatives, Raja El Almi built a career that connected the media with wider debates about culture, society, and Tunisia’s development.

Tunisian cultural history