Figure 1.--French colonists practiced or failed to practice their Roman Catholic religion just as if they were in France. This boy is outfitted for his First Communion. He was from Tlemcen. This was an inland cityin the northwest in an agricuktyral area noted for vinyards and olive groves. The portrait is undated, but looks to have been taken about 1900. Note his hat on the chair.

Islam and Roman Catholocism were the two primary religions in French colonial Algeria. The French colonization of Algeria was perhaps the most intimate colision with the West experienced by any Muslim country. It was also the first time since the Crusades that Muslims in thevMiddle-East/North Africa found themselves under Christian rule since the Crusades. Early resistance to France was led by Abd al-Qadir and had a significant Islamic component. Many Islamic cholars during the French colonial period left Algeria, taking up residence in neigbiting Arab countries as well as Egypt, Syria, and the Hijaz. Within Algeria there were many rebellions. Many were led by Sufi orders or other Islamic elements. As a result of the failed rebellions, some Algerian leaders began to promote the idea of cooperatiin with the French to secure concessions for Muslim cultural, political, and economic rights in colonial Algeria. As military revolts subsided and France entered the Srramble for Africa in Sub-Sahara Africa, the country tended to develop a more tolerant attitude toward Islam. This reflected Frenchefforts to work with Muslims in their new colonies, especially West Africa. French Islamic specialists worked closely with Algerian scholars. The French helped promote the International Congress of Orientalists at Algiers (1905). Ironically, it was not Catholocism, but France's growing secular traditions that alienated many Muslims. The French parliament passed a law separating religion and state (1905). French Catholics could accept a secular school system. The conceot was alien an unacceotable to even the loyal colonial Algerian Islamic religious establishment. I am not xure how many Algerians converted to Catholocism. We susoect relatively few. Without state sabctions, however, it was more difficult for Islamic authorities to maintain a strict commitment ton Islam. French colonists who cane to Algeria were uniformily Catholic, although varies in their devotion. Virtuallu none of the colonists converted to Islam. They oracticed their Catholic faith as if they were in France. Cathlic churches were built in the various communities where the French settled.

Sources

Christelow, Allan. Algeria: Arabism and Islamism; Algeria: Muslim Population, 1871-1954.

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Created: 7:33 AM 8/18/2008
Last updated: 7:33 AM 8/18/2008