CULTURAL NEWS

First allegiance to Emir Abdelkader, significant step in founding modern Algerian State

MASCARA-The first allegiance to Emir Abdelkader on November 27th, 1832, was a significantly historical step in founding the modern Algerian State, said professors specializing in the modern and contemporary history of Algeria from "Mustapha Stambouli" University of Mascara.

On the eve of the commemoration of the 190th anniversary of this historical event, Lahcen Djaker told APS that "the first oath of allegiance to Emir Abdelkader under the Derdara tree, in the region of Ghriss (province of Mascara), is "a significantly historical step in founding the modern Algerian State."

"The oath of allegiance of the tribes 'paved the way for the emergence of the beginnings of the modern Algerian State through the various institutions implemented by Emir Abdelkader, including the creation of an army, a new currency, and a law system," he added.

"Emir Abdelkader also enshrined the concept of jihad (struggle) among Algerians to resist the French occupation under his leadership which lasted 17 years," he added.

For his part, Bachir Hamaidi stressed that the first oath of allegiance to the founder of the modern Algerian State is "a significant step in the modern history of Algeria, given that he contributed to the foundation of a modern Algerian State that resisted, for 17 years, the French occupation forces and defeated them in several stages, whether military, political, or diplomatic."

"This oath of allegiance is "a role model for the civilized Algerian society, by its resort to the democratic practice in choosing a head of state and fighting the French colonial army," he added.

Furthermore, he stressed that the purpose of celebrating this important historical event is to transmit to the current generation the achievements of Emir Abdelkader at all levels, the most important of which is the foundation of a modern Algerian State with resistance to the French occupation as its main pillar.

Hamaidi called on specialists and researchers in the modern and contemporary history of Algeria to expand the research on the first oath of allegiance to Emir Abdelkader as an important event, in order to enrich the documentary resources dealing with the history of the founder of the modern Algerian State, so that they become available to researchers, especially Ph.D. students.

As for Mokhtar Bounegab, he said that this historical event allowed the founder of the modern Algerian state to be a leader of the sacred jihad and of the State because his political and military experience and his religious personality allowed him to confront the French Army from 1832 to 1848.

He also stressed that Emir Abdelkader's State had strong and organized institutions, and established relations with many powerful foreign countries at that time, namely the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Ottoman State.

In addition, Bounegab said that the commemoration of this historical anniversary sheds light on the heroism of the founder of the modern Algerian State, and highlights this national historical figure, who has been the subject of scientific studies by specialists inside and outside the country, given its global, human and civilizational dimension.