Renowned historian and researcher Ali Zouari dies at 90

Tunisia is mourning the loss of historian and researcher Ali Zouari, who passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at the age of 90. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs announced his death, remembering him as a significant figure in Tunisian academia and cultural heritage.

Born in Sfax in October 1935, Zouari earned a doctorate in history from the University of Provence in France in 1973. His academic work, conducted in both Arabic and French, focused on the socio-economic development and heritage of the Sfax region. He authored a seminal doctoral thesis on the commercial ties between Sfax and the Levant during the 18th and 19th centuries, alongside important contributions on migration patterns and local maritime navigation.

Zouari's extensive bibliography includes "Sfax through its Golden Centuries: The 18th and 19th Centuries" and "Lexicon of Sfax Popular Vocabulary and Traditions," co-authored with Youssef Charfi. Beyond his research, he held positions as a research director at the National Heritage Institute (INP) and served as a regional inspector for the Southeast.

His dedication extended to the preservation of Sfax's historical monuments. Zouari initiated the restoration of the Great Mosque, oversaw the maintenance of the city walls, and led the reopening of Borj Ennar. He was also a founder of several cultural associations, including the Association for the Safeguarding of the Medina and the Association of Friends of Museums. Zouari played a key role in the development of the first regional museum of popular arts and traditions in Tunisia, overseeing the renovation of the Dar Jallouli palace in Sfax. He was also a familiar voice on Radio Sfax, hosting programs dedicated to national historical memory.