TUNIS: Debate on Tunisia’s new constitution was suspended on Sunday after a deputy claimed he had received death threats because a colleague accused him of being an “enemy of Islam.”

The accusation came a day after the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) adopted articles making Islam the state religion but guaranteeing freedom of conscience.

Sunday’s row broke out after Mongi Rahoui, from the left-wing Popular Front, accused Habib Ellouze of the Islamist ruling party Ennahda of calling him an enemy of Islam.

The Interior Ministry said threats against Rahoui and two other people had been made on Facebook and that it was taking steps to protect them.

“The ministry has taken all security precautions to ensure the security of the parties and opened an investigation to determine the seriousness of the threats,” a statement said.

Addressing Ellouze, a hard-line Ennahda member known for his controversial comments, Rahoui asked: “How much more blood must there be before we understand that we are united ?

“I tell you that I am a Muslim; that my father, my mother, my grandfather and my people are Muslims.

“What (Ellouze) said yesterday, that I am an enemy of Islam, has lead to death threats against me.”

Ellouze had been quoted by a radio station Saturday as saying Rahoui is “known for his animosity toward religion.”

He said his words had been misinterpreted and apologized to Rahoui.

A number of secular opposition deputies angrily protested that such words could spell the same fate for Rahoui as befell Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi last year.

Sunday’s session began at 1100 GMT, and was suspended twice.

Following the exchange between Rahoui and Ellouze, some deputies demanded that the assembly vote again on an amendment rejected Saturday that would make it a crime to accuse someone of apostasy.