will Emir Abdelkader turn his back on the Virgin Mary?

2023-06-02 11:00:00

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LETTER FROM ALGIERS. The authorities want to erect a gigantic statue of the Emir Abdelkader in Oran which could “hide” Santa Cruz.

By our correspondent in Algiers, Adlene Meddi

Published on 06/02/2023 at 11:00 a.m.

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Qhow big is a national hero? Who decides? The Algerian authorities have decided for one of them: 42 meters. Thursday, May 25, the wali (prefect) of Oran, Saïd Sayoud, announced with a tone of challenge and pride, the next construction of a giant statue of 42 meters, on the sides of Mount Murdjadjou which dominates Oran, in the effigy of Emir Abdelkader (1808-1883) and a museum in his honor.

“When we took aerial photos for the promotion of Oran during the Mediterranean Gameswe were reproached that we only saw Santa Cruz in the foreground, we said in the comments [des réseaux sociaux] that it did not represent Oran… But what is the alternative? Now we have this alternative: the President of the Republic has granted us funding of…

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