La guerre d'Algérie, une guerre sainte ?

Arab Islamism in the Algerian War

Preface by Guy Pervillé

Two years after his first study on the religious dimension of the Algerian War, Roger Vétillard returns to this delicate subject, long hidden, neglected, or even ignored by historians.

Thanks to the valuable feedback from his colleagues and readers, and following his even more in-depth research, he is able to present a new study, even more extensive and relevant, in which he has updated and amply enriched the existing results with new aspects, testimonies, references, and clarifications, all while utilizing previously unpublished documents.

The conclusion remains the same: like the previous revolts, the Algerian War often took on the character of a true jihad. Roger Vétillard analyzes the respective identities and strategies of the main actors who knew how to both impose and hide their Arab-Islamic vision of the future Algerian Algeria – while marginalizing, eliminating, or expelling all those who opposed it.

Above all, he describes the important role of the Ulema in the preparation of the uprising as well as their influence within the ranks of the F.L.N. during the conflict, as well as at the center of power of the new Muslim Algeria.

302 pages - about thirty illustrations

Also consult the attachment (see bottom of page): Wolf Albes - The Algerian War as seen by six former German combatants of the Foreign Legion