Algeria

ISLAM

Celebration of the circumcision of a young boy
Courtesy ANEP

Islam, the religion of almost all of the Algerian people, pervades most aspects of life. It provides the society with its central social and cultural identity and gives most individuals their basic ethical and attitudinal orientation. Orthodox observance of the faith is much less widespread and steadfast than is identification with Islam.

Since the revolution, regimes have sought to develop an Islamic Arab socialist state, and a cabinet-level ministry acts for the government in religious affairs. Although the Boumediene regime consistently sought, to a far greater extent than its predecessor, to increase Islamic awareness and to reduce Western influence, the rights of non-Muslims continued to be respected. The Bendjedid government pursued a similar policy.

Data as of December 1993

Algeria - TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Society and Its Environment

• PHYSICAL SETTING
  • Geographic Regions
    • The Tell
    • The High Plateaus and the Saharan Atlas
    • Northeastern Algeria
    • The Sahara
  • Climate and Hydrology
  • Terrain
• POPULATION
  • Demographic Profile
  • Migration
  • Urbanization and Density
• ETHNIC GROUPS AND LANGUAGES
  • The Peoples
  • Languages: Arabic and Berber
  • Arabization
• STRUCTURE OF SOCIETY
  • Preindependence Society
  • The Revolution and Social Change
  • Toward a Modern Society
• THE INDIVIDUAL, THE FAMILY, AND THE SEXES
  • Family and Household
  • Men and Women
  • Family Code
  • Family Planning
• ISLAM
  • Early History
  • Tenets of Islam
  • Islam and the Algerian State
• RELIGIOUS MINORITIES
• EDUCATION
• HEALTH AND WELFARE
  • Health
  • Social Welfare
  • Housing