Love and Forgiveness in Governance: Exemplars: Emir Abd el-Kader

by Ernest Ogbozor

Emir Abd el-Kader was a politician and religious leader who fought against the French occupation of Algeria. He was described as the first national hero of Algeria and a symbol of resistance to colonialism. Abd el-Kader was reputed for his courage, caring, and compassion. According to Le Figaro, "the most redoubtable adversary that France encountered on African soil, the man who for sixteen years of heroic battles fought for his faith and for the independence of his country, Abd el-Kader is, unquestionably, the most important personage that has arisen in the last century among the Muslim populations."[1] Ahmed Bouyerdene wrote about the life and times of the great Algerian hero in "Abd el-Kader: Hero and Saint of Islam".[2] He was famous as a warrior, philosopher, scholar and a servant of God.

According to Abd el-Kader, "true jihad or holy war exertion lies not in the zeal of bitterness to fight whatever the cost, but in living righteously in accordance with Divine Law." During the period that Abd el-Kader went through the most challenging times in his life — struggling with foreign occupation of Algeria, imprisonment and exile — he did not allow hatred and revenge to trump compassion and forgiveness.[3] The story of Abd el-Kader was described as struggle, restraint and self control as expected of a servant of God.

The New York Times noted that "the nobility of his character won him the admiration of the world... He was one of the few great men of the century."[4] He was described as a unifier, and not a divider or a controversial leader; his life and legacy were testament and evidence to the difficulties and the possibilities for success, even under the most trying circumstances.[5] Former French prisoners of war attested to his kindness; he insisted on humane treatment of French prisoners taken into captivity. He also helped innocent Christians from intolerant Muslims, and it led to his dislike by some fellow Muslims.

Emir Abd el-Kader said, "Don't ask about a man's genealogy, but about his character, his life and his deeds."[6] The New York Times summarized the biography of Abd el-Kader, noting that "there are few names in the list of modern notabilities which are better known than that of the 'Arab Napoleon,' the warrior who, in defense of his native soil, successfully defied, during several campaigns, the whole power of France, and kept her armies in a state of almost unremitting warfare for more than fifteen years. The Emir Abd el-Kader was one of the few great men of the century."[7]

 

[1] Bouyerdene, Ahmed. "Emir Abd el-Kader: Hero and Saint of Islam." World Wisdom, accessed February 17, 2013. <http://www.worldwisdom.com/public/products/978-1-936597-17-8-Emir_Abd_el-Kader-Hero_and_Saint_of_Islam.aspx?ID=253>.

[2] Ibid.

[3] "429: Conversation About a Forgotten Muslim Hero — Perfect for Our Times - Explore Read The Spirit," Read the Spirit, 2013, accessed May 30, 2013. <http://www.readthespirit.com/explore/429-conversation-about-a-forgotten-muslim-hero-perfect-for-o/>.

[4] "About Us." Abd el-Kader Education Project, accessed May 30, 2013. <http://abdelkaderproject.org/about/>.

[5] "Abd el-Kader Fellowship." Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture, accessed February 18, 2013. <http://www.iasc-culture.org/people_fellows_program_Abd_el-Kader.php>.

[6] "About Us."

[7] Bouyerdene, Ahmed.