دراسات وأبحاث
Volume 14, Numéro 1, Pages 917-940
2022-01-30

When A Muslim Becomes The Savior Of Christians: Emir Abd El-kader’s Humanist Values Of Islam In The Damascus Massacre (1860)

Authors : Berrezoug Hanaà .

Abstract

This paper seeks to revive the legacy of Emir Abdel Kader as he incarnates Islam in its most Mohammedan form. Abd el Kader’s position in the Damascus Massacre (1860) might be a very interesting lesson to the world and to Muslims, in particular. His nobility and sense of universal humanity incited him to protect Christians against pseudo-Muslims in the bloody conflict of this Massacre. The question that is at the heart of this paper is: How can Abd el-Kader’s understanding of Islam correct modern-day denatured Islam? Throughout the religious discussion of his experience in the Damascus massacre, this paper aims at a universal human lesson of tolerance and fundamental fairness. Throughout the examination of Abd el-Kader’s position in the fight between the Druzes and the Maronites, the researcher concludes that Abd el-Kader’s protection of innocent Christians against Muslim aggressors might foster a new interfaith debate of tolerance and fairness.

Keywords

christians ; damascus massacre ; jihad ; emir abd el-kader ; humanism ; islam