The History of the Algerian Islamic High Council: Promoting and Preserving the “True Islam” for National Unity and Stability

Abstract

In Algeria, Islam has often been used to strengthen the sense of national identity and as an instrument of self-legitimation. The Algerian state gradually bureaucratized Islam through different organisms, represented by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and other institutions, such as the Islamic High Council. This constitutional institution can be considered the core tool used by the state to defend an Islam that is near and faithful to the values of the state, always ready to face dangers coming from religious radicalism. This essay describes the council’s historical development, emphasizing the modifications made to support state laws and policies on a variety of topics that are vital to the stability of the country, including religious problems.