Algerian fundamentalism : from religious rigorism to civil war (1962-2000)

In Algeria, fundamentalist tendencies were identified with the reformist Association of Ulema, formed under colonial rule (1931), its members still enjoying esteem after independence. The Ulema were subsequently marginalized politically, subordinated to the state, and relegated to purely religious involvement. Since the socialism of Boumedifcne made references to Islam, it fell to government- subordinated imams to justify the regime’s policies. However, the positions held by fundamentalists were not uniform. Apart from moderate pro-government fundamentalists, there were those who openly challenged the ideology imposed by the state. Simultaneously, Algerian fundamentalism was radicalized in part by members of the Egyptian Muslim Brethren, who began arriving in Algeria as teaching cadres in the 1970’s. In the Boumedifene period (1965-1978), state fundamentalism was decidedly nationalistic. Discussions centered on the Arabic and Islamic nature of Algerians, their moral revival, return to Islam’s sources, and modernization. At the same time, fundamentalism was beginning broadly to tackle new problems brought about by independence: the model of society, the relationships between Islam and socialism. Integrists put forward their own interpretation of socialism which rejected references to Western thought. The concept of society was subordinated to a search of the community’s resilience to defend its integrity from Western influence. After 1978, attitudes among pro-govemment fundamentalists were radicalized. Repeated references began to be made to the West’s crusade against Islam, and calls were made for a jihad to oppose the aggression of the “new crusaders”. Much attention was paid to the moral crisis in Islamic lands; fundamentalists focused on the family and woman, Algerian emigrants, and naturalization of Algerians in France. The early 1980’s saw a major mobilization of the young generation. From then on, the government had to face growing Muslim radicalism. Its hotbed were the poorest strata in the population, which nevertheless received support from the academic community. Religious fundamentalism was transforming into patriotic Islamism - a totalitarian reply to the challenges of modernity - whose purpose was to create a just Islamic state. After 1988, with democratization, the official Islamic party, FIS, rose to a position of great influence. Fearing that it might win the elections, the government delegalized it and declared marital law in 1992. Soon Algeria plunged into a bloody conflict with the Islamists lasting many years.