On the outskirts of the Tunisian capital Tunis lies the Sayyeda Manoubia Mausoleum, a 500-year old shrine that pays tribute to a female Muslim saint.<br/> <br />The holy site was stormed by five men on Tuesday who ransacked the building and set it on fire.<br/> <br />Several women in the shrine at the time of the attack said they feared for their lives.<br/> <br />The mausoleum caretaker said the men demanded she hand over her telephone and jewellery and attacked the saint's coffin.<br/> <br />Khadouja Gassmi also witnessed the attack.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) WITNESS, KHADOUJA GASSMI, SAYING:<br/> <br />"The caretaker screamed. She was terrified. The man put a sword to her throat. He said to her ''Be quiet or I will burn you." He was holding a gas canister in his hands. "If you scream I will burn you"… After that, they completely set fire to the place and went away."<br/> <br />Tunisia's Ministry of Culture and Heritage denounced the acts, describing them as sinful.<br/> <br />The mausoleum had been threatened by religious conservatives previously.
