The Role of Sheikh Abu Al-Yaqzan (1888-1973 AD) in the Association of Scholars and his Position in it

Abstract

Among the goals of the Algerian Muslim Scholars Association when it was founded in 1931 AD was to appoint figures from different trends to its board of directors, including some reform theorists in the Mzab Valley. We wonder about the efforts of Board Member Sheikh Ibrahim Abi Al-Yaqzan in the association and his influence in the field of journalism and social reform. By referring to the sheikh’s newspapers and the testimonies of his companions from that era, it becomes clear to us that his friendship with the president of the association, Sheikh Ibn Badis, and the exchange of visits between them occurred from an early time, both in Tunisia and Constantine. This apparently qualified him to become a member of it since its founding, be elected to a position in it in 1934 AD, and then represent it in the south. The similarity of  the reform movement activity in the M'zab region, of which the sheikh was one of its prominent figures, with the activity of the Association of Scholars through its confrontation of the French occupation in the journalistic field, their pursuit of the renaissance of the Islamic nation and the homeland, and their interest in educating young people inside and outside Algeria; had an impact on the success of this movement in spreading awareness about the issues of the homeland and the nation in northern and southern Algeria and that accelerated the country’s entry into the liberation battle.