Abd Al-Kadir

Abd Al-Kadir 

Born September 6, 1808; died May 26, 1883. An Algerian national hero, military leader, scientist, orator, and poet.

Abd al-Kadir belonged to an influential feudal family. From 1832 to 1847 he headed an uprising against the French occupation of Algeria. In 1832 the insurgent tribes nominated Abd al-Kadir ruler of western Algeria; he soon took on the title of emir. From 1847 to 1852 he was a prisoner in France, from 1853 to 1854 he lived in Bursa, and from 1855 on he lived in Damascus, where he took up theology. During the Christian pogrom in Damascus in 1860, he took a firm stand against hostilities between the Druzes and the Maronites, instigated by the French colonial authorities.

WORKS

Rappel à I’intelligent, avis à l’indifférent. Translated by G. Dugat. Paris, 1858.

REFERENCES

Oganis’ian, Iu. Abd-al’-Kadir. Moscow, 1968.
Bu Aziz Yahya. Batl al-Kifah al-Amir Abd al-Kadir al-Jazairi. Tunis, 1957.