Belmehdi met en avant, depuis Saïda, le rôle des imams dans la transmission et la préservation des valeurs spirituelles de la société algérienne
On Monday in Saïda, Youcef Belmehdi, the Algerian Minister of Religious Affairs and Foundations, emphasized the crucial role of imams in conveying and safeguarding the spiritual values of Algerian society. Speaking at the graduation ceremony for the 25th cohort of imam-preachers at the National Institute for Specialized Bodies in Religious Affairs and Foundations, he urged imams nationwide to uphold and invigorate these values, thereby helping to maintain Algeria’s cultural and religious identity.
Belmehdi stressed the importance of adopting a balanced and moderate religious discourse that reinforces national unity and cohesion among the Algerian people, promoting peace and tranquility in society. He noted that this year, the ministry has graduated a total of 784 religious leaders, including over 380 imams, 200 Quran teachers, 100 muezzins, and 100 mosque caretakers, known as « Quaïm. » He expressed pride in these individuals, who are set to become spiritual guides dedicated to preserving the nation’s spiritual values and religious identity.
The minister acknowledged the state’s efforts, alongside the educational teams responsible for training imams, to protect Algeria’s religion and identity, promoting moderation and balance. He stated that the government’s training initiatives would continue, particularly through enhancing educational aspects with new modules and themes that equip imams to understand contemporary challenges better.
This cohort, comprising 30 imam-preachers, was named after the late Sheikh Sidi Mohamed El Bey Belalem. During the ceremony, Belmehdi also presented diplomas and honored top students from the three-year program. Furthermore, he inaugurated the « Bilal Ibn Rabah » mosque in the « El Bordj » neighborhood of Saïda and laid the cornerstone for the construction of two additional mosques: « Othmane Ibn Affane » in the 2,200 housing units of the provincial capital and « Aouis El-Karni » in the municipality of Aïn El-Hadjar.
In summary, the minister highlighted the ongoing commitment of the Algerian government to fostering responsible and modern religious leadership through education. Belmehdi’s remarks reflect a vision for a cohesive society, anchored in its cultural and spiritual values, steered by qualified imams who are equipped to deal with the challenges of contemporary life.
