Algerian Radio
The High Islamic Council (HCI) organized a scientific conference and an exhibition of the Holy Quran on Tuesday in Algiers, highlighting the efforts deployed by the Algerian state in serving the Holy Quran and preserving the national religious identity.
In a speech delivered on this occasion, the Minister of Religious Affairs and Wakfs, Youcef Belmehdi, emphasized "Algeria's commitment to the printing of the Quran through its various stages, notably the Mus'haf Roudoussi version."
The Minister also discussed "the history of the printing of the Quran in Algeria by the Roudoussi family and Algerian scholars (ulemas) for its preservation, from the 5th to the 9th century of the Hijra," citing the scholars who have contributed, throughout history, to "the promotion and teaching of Quranic sciences in Algeria."
He also reviewed the efforts of the religious affairs sector in serving the Quran, notably by investing in the contributions of numerous Algerian calligraphers. Furthermore, he highlighted the printing of the Quran in Braille—according to the Warsh recitation from Nafi'—for the visually impaired, an initiative that is experiencing "great success" worldwide, particularly in Africa.
For his part, the Rector of Djamaa El Djazair, Mohamed Maâmoune Al-Kacimi Al-Hoceini, highlighted Algeria's efforts in printing the historic Mus'haf Roudoussi after independence, noting that it is a version highly demanded both nationally and internationally, especially in Africa.
The President of the High Islamic Council (HCI), Mabrouk Zaid El Kheir, asserted that the Algerian Mus'haf, which "stands out for its precision and its simple, harmonious script, constitutes a bulwark to protect the national identity and preserve the religious reference of the Algerian people." He cited the HCI's efforts to "strengthen the bond of rising generations with the legacy of their scholars, and open the prospects of digitization and innovation to religious scientific research."
On the sidelines of this conference, a cooperation agreement was signed between the HCI and the University Publications Office (OPU) for the digitization of the Council's documents. A digital platform dedicated to the HCI was also launched on this occasion, developed by the business incubator team at the University of Tipaza.
The conference featured an exhibition on the development of the Mus'haf in Algeria. To mark the occasion, a hall at the HCI headquarters was named after the eminent scholar Sheikh Ahmed Hamani (1915-1998).
