Bicentenary of the Birth of Emir Abdelkader

[From the French language press]:

Algérie : Bicentenaire de la naissance de L’Emir Abdelkader, une commémoration qui s’étalera sur une année

El-Annabi, Algérie - jeudi 7 février 2008 - par Rabéa F.

Algeria: Bicentenary of the birth of Emir Abdelkader, a commemoration which will run for one year

Algeria is preparing to commemorate the bicentennial of the Emir Abdelkader (6 September 1808 - 26 May 1883), the Sufi writer, poet, scholar, philosopher, politician and military leader.

Mr. Mohamed Boutaleb, president of the Foundation Emir Abdelkader, described the Emir as "a humanist in love with Sufism".

Several events will be organized in Algeria as well as in France, Mexico and the United States.

On February the 20th France will issue a postage stamp bearing the effigy of Emir Abdelkader.

A film about the Emir is in preparation. The script is already written by Boualem Bessayeh. The film will be produced by the Algerian Ministry of Culture.

For children, a cartoon on his life is also under preparation.

Two symposiums will be held in Algiers in mid-February.

[Picture: Ange Tissier, "Portrait of Ben ed-Din Abd el-Kader, Algerian Amir", 1852 Oil on canvas, 72 x 59 cm / 28' x 23'; Musée national du château de Versailles, France
Photo from his inspiring biography at Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abd_al-Qadir].