Group of Muslim religious scholars founded in 1931 that worked to create an Algerian Muslim identity.
The 02BD; Ulam 0101; 02BE; opened schools and promoted the teaching of Arabic. It was opposed by the French-educated elite and the traditional Muslim establishment, which felt threatened by its religious purist tendencies. It joined the National Liberation Front during the war of independence (195462) and later had a seat in Algeria's provisional government. See also Young Algerians .