Abd el-Kader al-Jaza’iri (1808-1883)

Charismatic leader of the Algerian resistance against the French occupation, Abd el-Kader al-Jaza’iri, Amir of Mascara, was also a Sufi scholar, a recognized philosopher and poet.

 He was born and raised in Mascara, near the town of Oran, Algeria where he received a comprehensive education. In 1820, on his way to Mecca, he traveled in Syria, Iraq and spent some time in Egypt where he met the reformist Muhammad Ali. Back in Algeria, after fighting against the French colonizers for over 10 years, he was deported as a prisoner of war to Marseille, France. Upon regaining his freedom, he settled in Damascus where he dedicated most of his time to meditation and spiritual teaching.

He died in 1883 and was buried in Damascus near the great Sufi thinker Ibn Arabi (1165-1240).

 Displaying 16 historical books, photos and maps, this exhibition offers the visitor an opportunity to get to know better the man, the leader and the scholar as well as his outstanding destiny.

 November 1^st, 2011 to April 31^st 2012, Islamic Studies Library (Morrice Hall, 1^st floor). No charge. Accessible during opening hours.