THE LEGACY OF EMIR ABDELKADER
Since immemorial time, the course of the Algerians’ struggle against diverse invasions has constantly been the same: to fight oppression and live free and master of their destiny. Which is in itself honorable and valuable.
But Emir Abdelkader’s fifteen years of resistance to the French occupier left behind as a legacy to the Algerian people, an additional element that committed them permanently to humanity: universality.
Through his struggle and his humanist positions, Emir Abdelkader inscribed in golden letters, in the course of history, what being Algerian means. Therefore, he gave us the true definition of Jihad, which consisted of starting with oneself by giving a human face to our fight, which had never been a fight of hate but a means to bring back a violated right and dignity.
Through his exemplary moral attitude, the Emir’s combative journey brought him to universality. This hard-won legacy morally binds the Algerian people to pursue a destiny similar to that of the Emir, namely an inescapable attachment to the universality where human values, beyond the physical and cultural differences of nations, time, or place, remained the referent of his positions and his commitments.
In this sense, Algeria, to remain faithful to the values of Emir Abdelkader, can only be a universal nation where the principles of justice and tolerance have the force of law.
The Emir left to us this legacy which it behooves us, out of respect for his memory and that of his companions, out of a duty of gratitude, and out of fidelity, to preserve.
Abdelouahab Hammoudi C.2022
