Values of Peace and Tolerance in the Thought and Conduct of Emir Abdelkader

Abstract

Emir Abdelkader is considered a prominent figure and a paragon of humanity. While wars are typically known for their brutality and bloody conflict, the Emir sought to subject combat to rules dictated by humanitarian considerations. He was also a mystical, philosophical reformer who did not isolate himself or limit his life to worship; rather, he actively participated in social, political, and religious life by attending to people's conditions and problems wherever he was. His conduct reflected a model of moral excellence, characterized by the values of peace and tolerance. How did he embody these values? How did he combine the sword and the pen? And what were the dimensions of his thought?