Arab, Moroccan in Algeria

Introduction / History

The Islamic prophet, Mohammed, started not only a religious movement, but also an Arab-based empire. From 622-632 he conquered most of the inhabited part of the Arabian Peninsula. He died in 632, but was succeeded by the Rashidun Caliphate, which conquered much of Egypt, Libya and Algeria by 661. The Umayyad Caliphate continued the Islamic conquests in North Africa through Morocco. This lasted until 750.

There were tribal peoples in North Africa, collectively called Berbers or Imazighen (free men). Given time, Arabs settled among the Berber tribes. What we know as Arabic changed as it moved west, sometimes incorporating words and grammatical aspects of the local languages. Today, Moroccan Arabic differs from other forms of Arabic, including that spoken by Algerian Arabs. However, their forms of Arabic are similar and they can sometimes understand the other dialect.

During the last 200 years, there has been a lot of hostility between Moroccan and Algerian Arabs. Moroccan soldiers helped European colonialists to conquer Algeria in the 19th century. Even after both countries gained independence from France in the 1950s and early 1960s, they almost immediately had a border dispute in 1963. Diplomatic relations between the two countries has often been tense. The low point came at the end of 1975 when Algerian president Houari Boumediene called for the expulsion of Moroccans, some of whom had lived there for centuries. The number of Moroccans in Algeria was greatly reduced at that time, but there are still thousands of Moroccan Arabs in Algeria. There are still rows between the two countries, sometimes resulting in diplomatic relations being temporarily severed.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Arabs in Algeria, be they Algerian or Moroccan, face many changes in the 21st century.

Traditional values have been altered by modernization. This can be attributed to the pressure to urbanize, industrialize and de-tribalize. Today, few modern Arabs live as desert shepherds. Urbanization has caused traditional family and tribal ties to be broken down. Women, as well as men, now have greater educational and employment opportunities. These and other changes have created a new "middle class" within their society. Because of an increasing variety of job opportunities, poor living conditions have improved in Algeria.

These changes have also weakened traditional family ties. Among urban Arabs in Algeria there is greater freedom today for women to leave the home, fewer arranged marriages, and less social pressure to conform to traditional religious practices.

Both Algerian and Moroccan Arabs are trying to preserve cultural traditions such as the naming of children. It is customary for an Arab child's name to reflect the three dominant elements of Arab life: kin, home and religion. Thus, a boy might have a name such as "Mohammad ibn Ibrahim al Hamza." "Mohammad" represents his religious name. "Ibn Ibrahim" is his father's name. "Al Hamza" means that he is from the village of Hamza. Girls are given similar names, which they keep even after marriage. This reflects the Muslim Arab tradition that even though women are subservient to men, they retain their identities, separate legal rights, and family ties. Circumcision for boys continues to be a universal practice among Arabs. They celebrate this ritual around the seventh year; it is a formal initiation of the boy into the Islamic religious community.

What Are Their Beliefs?

It was early in the seventh century that Mohammed first preached the tenets of Islam to the Arabs. His successors quickly spread the word of Allah throughout North Africa. Wherever Arabs went, they left elements of their Arab culture, including their Islamic religion. Thus, Islam is an important part of Arab identity in places like Morocco and Algeria. Arabic speaking Moroccans in Algeria believe that Allah spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, they must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times each day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the Month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship.

What Are Their Needs?

Since Islam is ingrained in the identity of so many Moroccan Arabs, we need to pray that they put their identity in Christ, the sure foundation. Moroccan Arabs in Algeria might also need the Lord’s protection at times when there are disputes between the two countries.

Prayer Points

Pray that God will raise up faithful intercessors who will stand in the gap for Moroccan Arabs in Algeria. Pray that the softening of their traditional culture will allow them to open their hearts and minds to what Jesus can do for them. Pray Moroccan Arabic speaking people in Algeria will disciple others and show the transforming power of the gospel. Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches and discipleship movements among Diaspora Arabs in Algeria.

Text Source:   Joshua Project