“Where is the ethical dimension of your concept?” That was one of the first questions we were asked at the launch of the Ethic Village Djerba project. It’s understandable, because it’s true that it’s not immediately obvious. Here are some elements of an answer.
First of all, the ethics we’re talking about here are unambiguously Islamic ethics. This project was conceived by a Muslim, for himself and his family first and foremost. That is, my family and me :), let’s be clear.
The entire team that worked on this project tried to integrate our values wherever possible:
– Compliance with construction standards both in terms of what is visible and what is not visible to a visitor: the plans were drawn up by an architect, a structural engineer and a fluids engineer, all well-known in Djerba for their professionalism and well-established;
– Respect for natural resources: water management, solar energy management, electrical energy management, construction materials management;
– 99% of our purchases for the complex were made in Tunisia, whereas it is common for Tunisians living abroad to import from France or elsewhere due to a supposed better quality elsewhere;
– Wages of workers on the site: we paid them and continue to pay them above local standards;
– The safety of future tenants, young and old, guided many of our choices;
– The quality of materials was always prioritised over price or availability, even if it meant delays or extra costs;
– Only married couples will be authorised to rent;
– Alcohol is strictly prohibited throughout the entire complex;
– Decent attire will be required in common areas.
The complex was clearly designed as a family-friendly space.
Believe me! It was often difficult to follow our principles despite all these constraints we voluntarily imposed on ourselves. The pressures and temptations are great in a society steeped in “quick and cheap”. But when you want to please Him, you stay the course and act accordingly.
I will try to elaborate on each of these points in upcoming posts. Until then, subscribe to our social media and our newsletter to stay informed!
Was salam!
Muslim-friendly family holidays in Djerba
These principles translate into tangible choices in every villa: private pools with zero overlooking, an alcohol-free compound, a family-first atmosphere. To see what that means day to day, visit our Muslim-friendly family holidays page.
