Administration in the Emirate

Education

Education was the primary concern in the policy of the Emir.

The Emir was confident that the developing in this field is to take care of books and references whatever the value of it scientific, literary and therefore the Emir was trying his best in collecting books from different subjects like buying, copying or transporting them.

Image Above (manuscripts)

The Emir also issued orders to his soldiers strictly not to mishandle or disrespect the books and the one who breaks these orders would be punished severely. He also used to encourage by rewarding them for any one that brings a book or the author, to copy one manuscript it would take several months to copy it and this was a long time for the Emir because his Emirate was in war with French invaders.

Image Above (manuscripts)

This policy has succeed a great success by bringing books from different fields to his emirate, the Emir also build a library to store and organize these books that he has gathered but he also linked the library with many organizations in the emirate like schools, masjids and Zawiya (religious schools), the library was open to everyone students, scholars and even soldiers. He also used to store a huge number of manuscripts in the Takdempt Fortress where he used to keep not only manuscripts but also classified state documents and diplomatic letters.

Image Above (manuscripts)

The Emir took care of books and manuscripts even in difficult situations like war, he transported all the books and manuscripts that he stored in the Takdempt fortress to Smala after when the Takdempt fortress fell to the French invaders, but in 1843 the French soldiers seized the books and manuscripts after the fall of Smala. The Emir also choose qualified teachers in order to take the role of teaching and training to the students in order to develop the education in the emirate, the Emir supported the teachers financially and morally and he also gave them wages to them depending of their qualification as he also build schools across his emirate in villages, towns and cities.

Judicial system

After the establishment of the Emirate and dividing it administratively, the Emir has appointed in every region of the emirate a Qadi (religious judge) that would rule in accordance with Islamic religious law (sharia) on the doctrine of Imam Malik. The Emir knew that justice is the basis of governance so he set requirements for those who assumed to be judges is to be honest, jurist, chastity & practising Islam.

To insure that the judiciary is running good, the Emir took care of the financial aspects of these judges so he made each judge have a respectable monthly wage of 100 Douro (50 Francs) plus some additional payments based on the type of the case he is judging on.

The Emir has separated between civil and military judiciary, then he made for each department a special judge who decides on the issues and cases raised in front of him and the judge could be elected for one year only.

The emir also recruited two clerks in all regional councils, the senior clerk does some studies on fatwas (legal judgment) issued by the judge in a particular region then he sends the fatwa to Mascara to study deeply on it then the Emir linked all the judges in the regions to review their cases with Supreme Qadi Ahmed ben Al-Hashemi Al-Mrahi.

The Emir was also keen to be the provisions of the civil and military judiciary under the Sharia (Islamic religious law) which the Emir made it the main source and the only source for ruling his Emirate, the provisions are derived from the Holy Quran, Sunnah (teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad PBUH) and ijtihad (Islamic diligence) in order to establish the Emirate which would remind the people of the days of Rashidun Caliphate and also to wipe off the negative image of the Turkish ruling in Algeria, considering that the success of the new established Emirate in his opinion is only to remove the corruption inherited by the Turks and work to change the old relations or at least adjust it as far as the circumstances and capabilities allow him to do that so the Emir can unify the Algerian people.

This policy has come to success which gained the attention of the Algerian people which they turned to him so the Emir saw this policy has brought  a success which he united the Algerian people under his Emirate so he can later prepare his nation to face the French invasion from his country.

The judicial provisions to be implemented immediately and especially if there is a threat against the homeland, like dealing with an enemy, spying and breaching the economic blockade on the enemy these threats are characterized these provisions severity and strictly to be a deterrent to others, which is not be appealed the principle that the Emir was ruling on like he said “the one who helps the enemy financially will be financially punished (fines) and the one who helps the enemy physically will be punished by cutting off their heads (executions).”

And so on thanks to his care of judiciary and implementation of the provisions, now there was justice and security throughout the emirate and people lived peacefully under the of flag of a popular national emirate, the crimes vanished and the situations has calmed after the chaos that happened after the fall of the Turkish rule in Algeria. 

Image Above (Court house)

The Emir was also fighting the ethical corruption in the society like banning prostitution, drinking alcohol and taking drugs across his emirate, as he also banned the soldiers from playing cards and wearing gold and silver except in their weapons and horses as he also ordered the men to pray their prayers at the masjid.

Algerian people are living under peace and security under the emirate, as he Emir said “Know that the only purpose of my acceptance of this position (Emir) only that you will be safe on yourselves and your honour and your wealth assured on your country enjoying your religious duties and I cannot reach that except with your help by money or men.”

Economy

The Emir took care of the economy of his emirate, he’s interest was only to improve the living of the people in his emirate and find sufficient resources in order to boost the economy of Emirate.

 

Above Image (Mohammadia coins) 

He set up his efforts on developing the trade and to overcome the obstacles that they faced on their filed of trade, the Emir concentrated on the foreign trade like exporting food grain and wool under the treaties signed by Emir with the French. The Emir hired the Jews to develop the trade because of their experience in the field of trading.

Above Image (Mohammadia coin) 

The importing income to the Emirate were Zaakat (religious taxes), Customs tax and trading income. The Emir also established a mint which he can manufacture coins then he named the currency of the Emirate as Mohammadia and Nisfia but there were other currencies in use like Douro.

Establishment of the Emirate

      Emirate of Abdelkader

             1832 – 1847

Capital: Mascara

Languages: Arabic & Berber

Religion: Islam

Government: Shura Council

Currency: Mohammadia, Nisfia & Douro 

Moto:  "victory from Allah and conquest is soon”.

The Emir took advantage from his previous experience which he gained from his journey to the Arab world especially during his stay in Egypt, he was interested in the administration of Mohammed Ali Pasha.

Creation of Shura Council

The Emir was keen to bring in scholars and jurists in order to create a powerful Shura Council which was like a Parliament at that time, the Shura Council was consisted of 12 senior scholars and jurists they are:

Ahmed Ben Al-Tahami

Abdelkader Ben Rakosh

Abdullah Saqqat Al-Mashrafi

Taher Al-Mahfoudi

Mohammed Al-Mahfoudi

Ahmed Ben Taher Al-Mashrafi

Mohammed Ben Mokhtar Al-Wargey

Maki Al-Makhroubi

Mokhtar Ben Maki

Hajj Abdelkader Ben Rakosh

Ibrahim Ben Qaddi

Ahmad Ben Hashemi Al-Marhi

The Emir has assigned the presidency of the Shura Council to the Supreme Judge Ahmad Ben Hashemi Al-Marhi where he had book so will record all issues then address them to the Council then the decisions are made by the agreement  of all members of the council.

Ministers of the Emirate 

Minister of Internal Affairs: Mohammed Ben Sayed El Arabi

Minister of War: Mohammed Ben Jelani

Minister of Economy (Public Sector): El Haj Ben Abi Abdellah

Minister of Economy (Private Sector): Abou Sayed Mohammed Ben Fakha

Minister of Religious Affair: El Haj Taher Abou Zayed

Minister of Tax and Zakat: Abou Mohammed Jelani Al Alawi

Like every state it must have a unique flag and emblem which differs them from others Emir Abdelkader choose the flag to be made of flax and silk, the top and bottom of the flag are in green and white in the middle also it has a symbol of a hand with writings in gold saying” Nasir Al-Din Emir Adbelkader Ben Muhieddine and victory from Allah and conquest is soon”.

Image Above (Flag of the emirate)

The emblem of the state is in a hexagram shape, there are writings in the sides of the shape which are: Allah, Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him), Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman and Ali. In the middle of the star it says Nasir Al-Din Emir Adbelkader Ben Muhieddine.

Image Above (Emblem of the emirate)

Provinces of the Emirate

After the establishment of the emirate, Emir Abdelkader has divided his emirate into administrative provinces to facilitate the management and ease the burden on the central government.

Mascara Province

Capital: Mascara

Governor: Ahmed Ben Al-Tahami

Tlemcen Province

Capital: Tlemcen

Governor: Mohammed Bouhamedi

Miliana Province

Capital: Miliana

Governor: Muhieddine Ben Alal Al-Qaleyi

 Titteri Province  

Capital: Médéa

Governor: Mohammed Barkani

Medjana Province

Capital: Setif

Governor: Mohammed Ben Abdelsalam Al-Maqdani

Ziban Province

Capital: Biskara

Governor: Ferhat Bern Saeed

Jibal Province

Capital: Bouira

Governor: Ahmed Ben Salem

Sahara Province

Capital: Laghouat

Governor: Gadour Ben Abdelbaqi

Each Province was divided into districts then it divides to a group of tribes, the head of a district is called Agha and the Sheikh was the head of the group of tribes. 

Pledge

Pledge of allegiance ceremony began in the Valley of Farbouha under the Tree of Al-Dardar which is a great tree where people used gather under it for discussion. In 28 November 1832 people pledged their allegiances to Abdelkader who was at the age of 24 then his father called him Emir (Prince) which then followed by his relatives, tribal leaders and then the rest of the people.

Above Image (people pledged their allegiance to Emir Abdelkader)

After when the people pledged their allegiance to Emir Abdelkader which he went to the Mascara Masjid and spoke to a huge crowd of people, urging them to discipline, commitment, Jihad and work then after when the Emir finished his speech he sent messages to the rest of the tribes that did not attended the ceremony to inform them about the pledge, the people then chose Abdelkader as their leader that will lead them to build a new state and to fight the French invaders.

Above Image (Tree of Al-Dardar)

French invasion of Algeria

The Algerian power was growing in the Mediterranean Sea that was worrying for the Europeans who have interests in the Mediterranean Sea so they decided to face the Algerian power that was growing increasingly.

Destruction of Algeria was a target for all European kingdoms so they decided in the conference of Vienna in 1818, the Europeans were competing with each other in order who is the first to invade Algeria because of its strategical location so the Kingdom of France was the first to invade Algeria after when Algeria lost almost all of its navy during the Battle of Navarino in 1827.

Above Image (Battle of Navarino)

A new Algerian state was formed at the beginning of 16 century and during the 17 century Algeria separated from Ottoman Empire and established an independent state which was called Regency of Algiers, the governors were appointed through elections and Algeria has been able to build a powerful navy that reached its influence to the Mediterranean Sea and imposed taxes for European kingdoms in order to let their ships go through the Mediterranean Sea, this made the European kingdoms seek to setup agreements and treaties with Algeria.

Above Image (Flag of Regency of Algiers)

The Algerian French relations begin in 1561 when Algeria decided to support the French Revolution in 1789 when the European Kingdoms agreed to besiege the French revolutionist government which was looking for financial support but they only find Algeria as their only ally so they asked for help. The governor of Algeria responded to the French request where he offered them loans (Ex-dividend) and also he decided to supply France with wheat so French people don’t die from starvation because their government was besieged from their neighbouring European kingdoms. But France has repudiated against Algeria and decided not to repay its debt with Algeria which resulted in conflict between the two countries.

Above Image (French Revolution)

France wanted to capture the fort of El Kala which France wanted to make it a base to control the Mediterranean Sea, all French rulers have dreamed to invade Algeria starting from King Louis XIV to Napoleon Bonaparte who insisted to occupy Algeria in order to eliminate the British presence in the Mediterranean Sea.

King Charles X was the ruler of Kingdom of France in 1824, he felt that there is an opportunity to launch a military campaign against Algeria so he can be able to eliminate his political opponents, absorb anger of French people, block the British supplies and to revenge for the fan affair which was a political insult to France.

France felt like it was the protector of Catholicism and to achieve victory over Algeria it was like achieving victory over Islam, this what the French commander Clermont de Tonnerre has said when imposing siege on Algiers “I wanted to Divine Providence to be raised to our Majesty (King) firmly is the person who is going to end the worst enemies of Christianity, perhaps luck will help us to spread civil life between the indigenous people and to convert them to Christianity.”

France was seeking hardly to make Algeria a French colony because of its wealth of raw materials which France needed to boost its economy which was in crisis. France had by providing a large amount of money by exporting all products from Algeria to European markets.

Above Image (Fan Affair) 

On 16 June 1827 France declared war on Algeria because the ruler of Algeria Hussein Dey refused to apologize to Kingdom of France for the fan affair especially when Algeria lost most of its navy.

Above Image (Hussien Dey)

The French forces under General Louis de Bourmont during the invasion of Algeria 1830:

36,000 Infantry

4,000 Cavalry

83 Canons

503 Ships

French army were made up of experienced soldiers who majority of them participated in Napoleonic wars, the military campaign was launched from the port of Toulon then through Spanish Island of Palma until they reached the seashore of Sidi Ferruch in 14^th of June, Hussein Dey was aware of the French movement through his spies. The Algerian preparation to face the French military campaign was poor because most of the Algerian soldiers are volunteers which they did have any military experience unlike the French.

Above Image (General Louis de Bourmont)

The Algerian forces under Commander Ibrahim Agha during the invasion of Algeria 1830:

1,000 Janissaries

5,000 Andalusian soldiers

3,000 Arabian volunteers

2,000 Amazigh volunteers

In 14 June 1830 the French reached the beaches of Sidi Ferruch, the Algerian forces was waiting in order to prevent them from landing to the beach so Ibrahim Agha the commander of the Algerian forces and the son of Hussein Dey who was a person with no military experience unlike the former commander Yahya Agha, Ibrahim Agha with his poor decision making on military plans was behind the defeat of the Algerian army in 18 June 1830. The plan was to wait for the French troops to land on the ground and then attack them but Ahmed Bey who was the Bey of Constantine offered commander Ibrahim Agha a better plan which was to attack the French ships from the beach and prevent the French troops from landing to the beach but Ibrahim Agha did not accept the plan of Ahmed but he insisted that his plan will work.

Above Image (Battle of Staoueli)

19 June 1830 the French forces defeated the Algerian army in the Battle of Staoueli, which they made their way to the city of Algiers which was defenceless. General Louis de Bourmont captured Algiers without any resistance in 5 July 1830 and made Hussein Dey sign a Treaty of surrender which allowed the French to occupy the city where the flag of France was raised over the city towers, the French did not respect the treaty between them and Hussein Dey so they stole the treasure of Casabah which worth 52 million Franc gold, expelling the Algerian army and seizing their property and finally transforming Masjids to Churches. 

Emir Abdelkader

Emir Abdelkader was an Algerian Islamic Scholar, Political and Military leader who led a war against the French invaders in Algeria which he resisted for 15 years, he is also is the founder of modern Algerian state he was called the “Modern Jugurtha” by the French. In Algeria he is considered as a symbol of the Algerian resistance against the French colonialism.

Above Image (Emir Abdelkader)

Family and Origins

Origins

The family of Emir Abdelkader are the descendants from Idrisid dynasty who ruled Morocco and Al-Andalus (Spain), Abelqawi I are the ancestor of Emir Abdelkader who came from Morocco and settled in Fort of Bani Hammad near Setif after the conflict heated in Marrakech. The Family of Emir was known for knowledge and Jihad which gained respect from the people around, Muhieddine father of Abdelkader gained influence over the tribes that was located in western Algeria. Muhieddine married four wives and he had six children, Abdelkader was the fourth child and his mother Zahra daughter of Sidi Mohammed Ben Doha Al-Hassniya was the third wife of  Muhieddine.

Above Image (Fort of Bani Hammad)

Family Tree

Emir Abdelkader son of Muhieddine son of Mustafa son of Mohammed son of Mokhtar son of Abdelkader son of Ahmed Al-Mokhtar son of Ali son of Ahmed son of Abelqawi son of Abdelkader son of Ahmed son of Mohammed son of Abdelqawi son of Messaoud son of Taawus son of Yaqub son of Khaled son of Yousef son ofAhmed son of Bashar son of Mohammed son of Al-Akbar son of Abdullah son of Hassan Abelqawi son of Ahmed son of Mohammed Ben Idris Al-Asghar son of Idris son of Hassan Al-Muthana son of Hassan son of Fatmia daughter of of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him).

Early life

Emir Abdelkader was born in the town of Mascara near Oran (western Algeria) on Tuesday 6^th September 1808, his family originally from Amazigh (Berber) tribe of Beni Ifren which they were part of the Zenata tribe, also his family are descendants from Idrisid dynasty which they are descendants of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him).

Above Image (Emir’s house)

Emir grew up in a religious, knowledgeable and cultural environment he was also taken a great care from his father which he tried to raise him in a way that he could be able handle all the responsibilities and to able to lead his family after his death, that is the reason the Emir Abdelkader was only taken care by his father and nobody else.

Above Image (Zawiya)

When the Emir reached at the age of four he joined the Zawiya (Religious school) of his father in Mascara, he was genius at very young age where he taught to read and write at the age of five which allowed him to study Tafsir (Interpretation of Quran) and Haddith (Teachings of the Prophet). At the age of 12 he became a Hafez (memorized whole Quran by heart), the Emir loved to sit in library of his Zawiya and to read Islamic books regularly. After two years the Emir was qualified enough to give lectures in Masjid about different Islamic jurisprudence. After when finished his religious education he father encouraged him to start his military training which was like riding horses, shooting and sword combat, also he joined horse racing competitions which was organized at that time.

Above Image (Zawiya)

When the Emir was properly grown physically and mentally his father decided to send him to Oran so he can continue his education, so he joined the school that was managed by Sidi Ahmed Ben Khoja the Emir studied in that school for two years where he learned different subjects like philosophy, numeracy, geography and politics he also studied Islamic jurisprudence deeply on the hands of Sheikh Ahmad bin Taher Batawe who was a famous scholar at his time.

The Emir returned to his home in Mascara after when he stayed in Oran for two years (1821-1823), his father Muhieddine decided to marry his son Abdelkader after when he seen his becoming a young man that is physically and mentally grown, he was arranged to marry his cousin Lalla Kheira she was a girl of beauty and good manners then the Emir decided to merry her and his wedding was organized in a Islamic way and his age was at that time 15 years old.

In spite of the wealth which the family of Abdelkader had, they did not use if for enjoyment and luxury but they lived a simple and modest life at all time. The hobbies that the Emir loved  to do when finishing his religious duties was to go to forest for hunting, he used to take three servants with him and go for hunting birds, gazelles and other wildlife animals.

House arrest

The Turkish Authority in Algeria was not comfortable with meetings that was held by the Emir’s Father Muhieddine and the talking that was going on there so they decided to put Muhieddine and his son Abdelkader under house arrest in 1821 in Oran, the Emir lived in Oran for while which made him join the Scholar Council where he learned Arabic literature, poetry and science. The Emir adapted to the city life and society he was also watching the corrupted Turkish rule so he was wondering if there are any way of reforming and developing the country.

Journey to the Arab World

After two years, the Turkish authority has allowed Muhieddine and his Abdelkader to go to perform Hajj (pilgrimage) after the intervention of some nobles like Mustafa Ben Ismail and other nobles. Muhieddine and son Abdelkader started their journey staring in 1825 from Oran then through Médéa until they reached Tunisia where they joined delegation of pilgrims.

Above Image (Mohammed Ali Pasha)

Abdelkader was 18 years old when he travelled with his father to the Arab world, then after 15 days they reached Egypt at the city of Alexandria where they rested there for few days, then they continued until they reached Cairo where they met the ruler of Egypt Mohammad Ali Pasha who was a leader that had an excellent administrative and military skills, they also had a chance to meet Egypt’s grand Islamic scholars. Abdelkader and his father Muhieddine left Egypt but they are carrying in themselves good memories during their stay in Egypt they were also impressed by the quality of life and development in different aspects of life there, not like in Algeria where the Ottomans controlled everything there by military force.

Above Image (grave of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him)

After when they left Egypt they headed for Mecca in order to perform Hajj and he also visited the grave of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) they encountered Sheikh Shamil the Caucasian leader after that when they finished Hajj they travelled to Baghdad in Iraq where they visited many Islamic scholars and governors there they left Baghdad for Damascus then they returned back home to Algeria.

The Emir and his father Muhieddine went for hajj for the second time and during their stay in Egypt they celebrated the Prophet Mohammed’s (Peace Be Upon Him) birthday. When they returned home to Algeria the Turkish authorities has finally allowed the Emir and his father Muhieddine to return to their hometown in Mascara.

Above Image (Kaaba is a holy masjid for Muslims)

When they returned to Mascara in 1828 the people of the town were waiting in order to welcome them, so when they arrived they celebrated with people of the the town, Emir Abdelkader and father Muhieddine missed their family and people after two years of absence. The Emir was so interested in reading philosophy books like Plato, Pythagoras and Aristotle, also sometimes he used to read history books like Era of the Caliphs and Islamic empires.