Belmehdi souligne depuis Tissemsilt l’importance de s’attacher à la référence religieuse nationale pour faire face aux défis
Summary of Religious Moderation in Algeria
During a recent visit to Tissemsilt, the Minister of Religious Affairs and Wakfs, Youcef Belmehdi, stressed the vital importance of adhering to Algeria’s national religious reference, which emphasizes moderation and balance. He articulated that this adherence is crucial for overcoming the various challenges facing the country and for fostering unity among the Algerian people.
Belmehdi underscored the necessity of maintaining an authentic religious reference that champions moderation, stating that this ideology is essential in thwarting attempts to undermine the nation’s identity and cohesion. He attributed a central role to religious institutions and mosques in Algeria, emphasizing their importance in guiding worship according to the national religious framework. This framework, he posits, serves as a bulwark against foreign phenomena such as violence, extremism, and fanaticism that threaten the social fabric of Algerian society.
During his tour, Belmehdi inaugurated the “Saad Ibn Mouadh” mosque and inspected ongoing construction of another mosque in a local housing area. He also visited the "Abou El Abbas El Wancharissi" mosque project in the Ouled Ali region and the Sidi Ali El Hadj zaouïa, which accommodates students from various parts of Algeria and other African countries. At the zaouïa, he was briefed on plans for constructing a new mosque.
Earlier that day, Belmehdi chaired the opening ceremony of the second international conference focused on Ahmed Benyahia El Wancharissi’s contributions, organized by the university named after him in collaboration with the University of Oran 2 and the High Islamic Council. This conference reflects a continuing commitment to exploring Algeria’s religious and cultural heritage while reinforcing the importance of moderation.
In summary, Belmehdi’s commitments illustrate a robust effort to inspire a collective adherence to a moderate religious identity, vital for not only national unity but also for confronting contemporary societal challenges, particularly against extremism and division. His engagements with various religious institutions further highlight the government’s strategic focus on reinforcing the spiritual foundation unique to Algeria.
