Algerian Radio
The memory of the Algerian liberation struggle preserves the name of the Algerian Mujahida, historian, and poet Djamila Amrane-Minne (1939–2017).
She was a special kind of Mujahida, as Djamila Amrane-Minne adopted Algeria and its revolution, despite being born and raised in France.
Djamila was born "Danièle Minne" on August 13, 1939, in France, and from her childhood, she absorbed the values of freedom, justice, and struggle.
She grew up under the care of her mother, Jacqueline Guerroudj, who became a fidaia (freedom fighter) alongside her husband, Abdelkader Guerroudj, in the ranks of the Liberation Army.
Djamila Amrane's turning point came when she answered the call of the Algerian students' strike on May 19, 1956.
Along with the student faction, Djamila Amrane joined the Liberation Front immediately after the strike.
Alongside her future husband, Rabah Amrane, she was given the name "Djamila" and engaged in the paths of sacrifice alongside Djamila Bouhired, Djamila Boupacha, and Djamila Bouazza.
Djamila was the heroine of several fidaia operations that culminated in the bombing of bars and cafes in Algiers, including the Otomatic bar in January 1957.
Later, Djamila joined the camps of the Liberation Army and was arrested on November 26, 1957.
This occurred following a clash that saw the martyrdom of the Mujahida Raymonde Peschard, nicknamed "Taos."
Along with her mother, Jacqueline Guerroudj (who received a death sentence that was ultimately not carried out), the French judiciary sentenced Djamila to seven years in prison.
Djamila spent months in the Barbarosse (Serkadji) prison in the heights of the capital before being transferred to the Rennes prison in France.
She was released in April 1962, weeks after the Evian Accords, and became the first female professor to teach history at the University of Algiers following independence.
Djamila Amrane-Minne chose Algerian nationality before marrying her comrade in arms, Rabah Amrane.
In 1989, Djamila published her book, Women in the Struggle: The Algerian War 1954–1962, in which she documented women's participation in the glorious liberation war.
In 1999, she became a professor of history and women's studies at the University of Toulouse.
She also published several literary writings and rich poetic texts.
The iconic Mujahida Djamila Amrane passed away on February 11, 2017.
