 RELIGION |
 The Islam |
Islam, which became the State religion in the 1976 Constitution, is the religion of about 99% Algerians. It was also introduced by the Muslim conquest in the 14th century. Islam remains deeply rooted in the Algerian society and is the social reference for a majority of traditions and customs. It is why events such as the month of Ramadan and other religious days, such as the Mouloud (birth of the prophet Mohamed, the Aïd El Fitr and Aïd El Adha) are major events in the community and family life. Aouel Mouraham, the first day of the Muslim year, according to the lunar calendar, is also officially considered as a public holiday.
The place where Muslims gather to express their faith, following the example of all the Muslim countries, is the mosque led by the Imam. The latter, according to the precepts, holds the Friday sermon, leads religious wedding parties, funerals. He also gives his explications and pieces of advice to those who ask them. Religion is also officialy present in the running of the family, throughout the family's Code. The current version is very criticised by the political class and even the islamist political parties ask for its reform to give more rights to woman and a healthier application of the saint book (the Koran).
In Algeria Islam is certainly very tolerated, but over all, it has contributed to strengthen the links of society, especially during the war of liberation (1962-1954), thanks to its quality of identity reference. It is also naturally an asset that the Algerian National Movement relied on to call for the independence of Algeria.
Nowadays, the State controls religious places and mosques, and has also given more prerogatives to the directions in charge of the cult, the Nadhara. To encourage the majority of the Muslims to understand the divine message, a Superior Islamic Council has been created and intervenes throughout colloquiums and seminaries in order to underline the fundations of justice and progress of Islam within society. Themes such as Islam and democracy, or Islam and globalisation have been at the heart of great debates among the Algerians.
| Ramadan |
The month of Ramadan, also the month of fast, is part of the twelve month lunar calendar, adopted by the Muslims more than fourteen centuries ago. According to the Muslim religion, during this month all adults (capable to do it) are not allowed to eat any kind of food from dawn till sunset, the muzzeïn is the one who gives the signal for the beginning and the end of the day of fast. The aim of this ritual obligation is that the richest understand what the poorest live. In an Algerian family, the child who fasts for the first time is rewarded with a f'tour, very spicy (special meal for the end of fast), he or she drinks a glass of lemon juice, called Charbate, in which a ring is hidden that he or she will find by surprise. In the evening, the town streets are animated by families who go out, by evening festivities, however moderated as prayers meet every evening in the mosques for the "tarawih". It is a prayer during which the 60 hizb (verses) of the Coran are progressively recited until the 27th day of Ramadan. The 27th day (leïlat el kadr) is special because it is when the first words of Koran were given to prophet Mohamed. For the Algerians, the evening lasts until the morning, since according to religion, pious hearts can see the nuptial light, a divine sign. But according also to religion, it is about spiritual abstention as well, those who fast must neither say nor listen to 'evil' words, nor be indiscreet when looking or listening. Fast is a reminder of the precepts of Islam, because it increases prayers and religious rituals by promising (when the month of fast has been scrupulously respected) divine forgiveness of all previous sins. Ramadan is also called: " the last month of paid holiday " referring to its impact on the economical life of the country.
| Meals during the month of fast
Various meals are specific to the month of fast: Chorba (soup prepared with mutton meat), served with Bourek (a rolled puff pastry stuffed with ingredients depending on the main course), Dolma (courgette stuffed with minced meat) or M'thouem (sauce with meatballs and pieces of red meat). Sweet meals before dessert, such as Ham Lahlou (meat cooked in a sweet sauce with dried fruits).
| Beliefs and folk superstitions |
Even though they gradually disappear, the Algerians have two constant fears: the evil eye and the fear that divine wrath passes on to their offspring. Because of the evil eye, the Algerians restrain themselves from talking about their success ; any family purchase (house, car ...) promotion, success in studies must be shared with close relatives and neighbours during a meal. In order to be protected from the evil eye, the Algerian usually use two objects: the Khamsa, an open hand with an eye and a snake drawn on the palm, or an object (stickers, frames, canvas, cd....) which shows a sourate (psalm) of the Koran, the Âyate El Koursi. According to tradition, when you buy a new house, you have to pour the blood of a cock or a sheep on the threshold, after having cut its throat in the house, to dispel the evil eye and the evil spirits.
Rich or upper society people are more concerned by the second belief: when their children are hurt by a misfortune it means, for the others, that their wealth comes from a dishonest origin. Misfortune can also come from someone whom you might have hurt and who has invoked God through a prayer (Dâawa) to obtain divine justice. The Algerian people also fear black magic (S'hour). Indeed, for those who believe in it, when you are ill, in a great misfortune, or under stress, someone might have thrown a spell (Th'kaf). A pious person has to exorcize it throughout a ritual called Roqîa, during which the exorcist recites precise verses from the Koran. Even though this ritual is less used nowadays, villagers ask the Oualis (saints) of their village to protect them from misfortune. Indeed their souls still plead for people's complaints to God.Their bodies rest at the mausoleum (Koubba) where women offer them a black cock, for instance in case of an incurable illness, and stay for several hours to talk about their misfortune. |
