Commemoration of the 124th anniversary of the death of Emir Abdelkader

[Al-khiyal]

May 24, 2007 -- A Ceremony was today organised in the El Alia cemetery here in Algiers in commemoration of the 124th anniverssary of the death of the founder of the Algerian State, Emir, or Commander, Abdelkader.

The ceremony, was organised by the Algerian Emir Abdelkader Foundation, to pay tribute to man who founded the Algerian state.

The Emir Abdelkader Foundation's chairman and War Veterans Minister Mr. Cherif Abbes and Finance Minister Mr. Mourad Medelci in addition to historical personalities as well as member of diplomatic missions present here in Algiers were in attendance.

After reading the the Fatiha or the opening verse of the Holy Qur'an, a wreath of flowers was deposited on the Emir's tomb.

Mr. Chérif Abbas took the floor during the ceremony to hail the noble personal qualities of Emir Abdelkader who, in addition to his political achievements, was also well-known for his know-how in religion and literature.

During fifteen years of his fierce resistance to the French colonial presence in Algeria, the Emir Abdelkader also founded the Algerian state on solid foundations with the creation of the Algerian currency and in constructing weapons and ammunition factories, said the War Veterans Minister and chairman of the Emir Abdelkader Foundation.

Commemoration of the 124th anniversary of the death of Emir Abdelkader

[Al-khiyal]

May 27, 2007 -- Thursday 24 May, 2007, was the commemoration date of the death of Emir Abdelkader, the founder of the Algerian modern state.

The ceremonial was organized by the Emir Abdelkader Foundation and was attended by high profile Algerian officials namely, the Minister of Mudjahidine, Mohamed Cherif Abbas, the Minister of Finance, Mourad Medelci, as well as several foreign personalities from the diplomatic corps here in Algiers.

On the occasion, The Minister of Mudjahidine paid tribute to this extraordinary historical figure who, despite his political duties, left room in his life for literary activities such as poetry and writings.

In his turn, the head of the Emir Abdelkader Foundation, M Mohammed Boutaleb, shed the light on the formidable military and diplomatic career of the Emir starting from the day people gave him allegiance, as a commander in chief, to fight against the French colonial forces on November 27th,1832, to his death in Damascus, Syria, in 1883.

In addition to his domestic tasks, the participants stressed his role as a man of consensus and tolerance, especially emphasizing the part he played rescuing and giving refuge to persecuted Christians during his exile in Syria.

124th anniversary of the death of Emir Abdelkader