Association of Algerian Ulama

Overview

The “Association of Algerian Ulama” (Jam’iyat al-‘Ulama’ al-Muslimin al-Jaza’iriyyin, جمعية العلماء المسلمين الجزائريين) was founded in 1931 by Abd al-Hamid ibn Badis and other influential Islamic scholars. This pivotal organization sought to educate Algerian Muslims, promote Arab-Islamic cultural heritage, and foster national identity amid the French colonial occupation of Algeria.

Etymology and Translations

• Arabic: جمعية العلماء المسلمين الجزائريين (Jam’iyat al-‘Ulama’ al-Muslimin al-Jaza’iriyyin)
• Turkish: Cezayir Uleması Birliği

Objectives

The association aimed to:

• Educate Algerians: Establish schools, promote literacy, and teach traditional and modern subjects within an Islamic framework.
• Promote Arab-Islamic Heritage: Revive and preserve Algerian Islamic culture in opposition to French colonial policies.
• National Identity: Reinforce the notion of a distinct Algerian Muslim identity.
• Reform Islam: Advocate for Islamic reform, focusing on purifying religious practices and beliefs.
• Critique Sufi Orders and Assimilationism: Oppose what they saw as deviations in Sufi practices and the French assimilation policies that threatened Islamic practices and cultural identity.

Historical Context

Algeria was under French colonial rule from 1830 until 1962. During this period, the French authorities attempted to suppress local culture and enforce assimilation. The Association of Algerian Ulama played a critical role in defending Islamic values and raising awareness about the dangers of colonial assimilation.

Protest Against French Occupation

The group actively protested against the colonial occupation. Their contributions included:

• Demanding Religious Freedom: Advocated for the freedom to practice Islam without interference from colonial authorities.
• Restoration of Charitable Endowments (Awqaf): Called for the return of Islamic endowments that were seized or restricted by colonial policies.
• Recognition of Arabic as an Official Language: Campaigned for the preservation and recognition of Arabic language rights, resisting the imposition of French.

Notable Figures

• Abd al-Hamid ibn Badis (1889-1940): A prominent founder of the association, renowned for his educational and reformist efforts and for being a key intellectual leader.

Suggested Books for Further Studies

• “The Birth of the Islamic Reform Movement in Saudi Arabia: Muhammad Ibn Abd Al-Wahhab (1704-1792) and His Predecessors in Central Arabia” by George S. Rentz – Offers a broader context for understanding Islamic reform movements.
• “Islamic Reformism and Colonized Society in Algeria: The Reconfiguring of the Algerian paysage after 1798” by Ahmed Koulakssis and Ibn Badis.
• “Ibn Badis, Islam and Awakening” by Thomas David Dubois – Focuses on the intellectual and reformist contributions of Ibn Badis.

Takeaways

• The Association of Algerian Ulama played a fundamental role in resisting colonial policies and promoting an Islamic-based national identity.
• Educational reform and the promotion of Arabic language and culture were pivotal objectives of the association.
• Their activities laid the groundwork for the subsequent Algerian nationalist movement, which eventually led to Algeria’s independence.

Conclusion

The Association of Algerian Ulama remains a significant historical example of how religious and cultural organizations can influence and support national identity and liberty. Their efforts continue to be remembered and revered in the context of both Algerian and Islamic history.

See also: Algeria, Islam in, Ibn Badis, Abd al-Hamid