Thoughts of Ait Ahmad, book by Jugurtha Abbou
Hocine Aït-Ahmed, one of the historical figures of the National Movement, the Algerian War and the democratic struggle, who left the most mark on the history of Algeria, was distinguished by his numerous positions and numerous initiatives. Jugurtha Abbou has just dedicated a crisp book to him: The Thought of Hocine Ait Ahmed. There are many beautiful pages depicting the life of this great man, as well as quotes and sayings that give insight into the profound work that Jugurtha Abbou did. In this interview, the author tells us more…
How do you introduce yourself to readers?
First of all I thank you for giving me this platform of expression and I hereby introduce myself to the readers of your site. I am 38 years old. I am a specialist in social psychology, but I work as a project manager in a public company. He is the author of the first book of 2019, a story in the form of a poem The love of fireTwo years later, I published a political essay with the title Yesterday, today, tomorrow Algeria. This year I published my first novel: Combined evilsPublished by Imal, then another essay Thought of Hocine Ait AhmedPublished by Tafat.
What will the reader discover about Hocine Ait Ahmed through this work?
Many Algerians are familiar with the career and work of Hocine Ait Ahmed, whether for the country’s independence or for democracy and the rule of law. In addition, I have tried to explain the political, economic and cultural thinking of man with my work. The reader must understand each of Ait Ahmad’s positions from a precise angle: his thinking. We find there, for example, his views on the crisis of 1962, the suspension of the electoral process and other events that marked the national and international political scene.
In dealing with the journey of Hocine Ait Ahmed, you chose to focus your book on reflection rather than travel, what is your choice?
It is true that many books mention the historical paths of these heroes who built the nation. However, far from being a narrative or a biography, my essay approaches the life of Hocine Ait Ahmed from a different angle. It is about his political position, especially his unconditional commitment to the will of the people. Also, I tried to determine the evolution of human economic thinking and its adaptation to the national and international context, its position on the issue of identity before and after independence. As I have tried to analyze his product, especially Zedi’s report and the report he sent from prison in which he proposed the creation of a provisional government.
In your book, you touched on different events that Algeria experienced, especially the colonial period and the post-war period. Was it easy for you?
The work required painstaking research, an in-depth reading of Ayt Ahmed’s works; books, reports and messages, as well as other references to the history of the country at various stages. In order not to fall into any form of chauvinism, I wanted to look at articles criticizing such and such an approach advocated by the person concerned.
You began the essay by explaining the elements that make up thought. You can easily detect the touch of the social psychologist that you are.
Of course, ideas don’t happen overnight. You don’t wake up one day and declare yourself a socialist or a capitalist, but there are indeed elements that shape your thinking. As for Ait Ahmed, it was necessary to return to the bosom in which he grew up, his universal culture is due to both the fact that he belongs to a conservative family, and that he belongs to the maraboutic lineage, and that he was educated at a French school. The context of that era, remembered by two college lives, gave rise to the spirit of struggle for social justice and a humane society. I also discussed Ait Ahmed’s transitions within the Algerian Muslim Scouts and his education at the high school of Ben Aknoun, his places of political socialization.
You also mentioned the economic view that many claim has reduced socialism to an S.
Hocine Ait Ahmed’s economic thought has developed with national and international changes. After independence, he advocated self-government as a global project, before moving towards social democracy as a source of social justice, based not on the employment but on the motorization of the masses. However, he campaigned to rebuild the Algerian economy on new foundations, putting the people at the center of his strategy. As I approached his position on globalization, which is not a complete and total rejection of it, but an adjustment for the establishment of democracy and human rights around the world, as well as a fair distribution of wealth.
Where do you find your comfort in writing, a novel or an essay?
Obviously, it depends on what state of mind I find myself in when I start. Generally, I am one of those who write to get the message across, regardless of the chosen genre. I started my novel Combined evils With Martin Luther King’s powerful message calling for world peace. We can say that the line of behavior is the same, the genres are numerous.
I chose poetry in 2019, when the whole nation felt a strong sense of harmony and unity. Such a moment of fusion, in my humble opinion, found its true expression only in poetry. Later, he imposed a retrospective view of what had happened, a moment when those who had been repressed for many years resurfaced. An academic, social psychologist must also develop a sense of observation and a critical view of society in all its components. My family’s experiences, various world-shaking events are testing me more than ever.
A final word for ObservAlgeria readers?
Reading is a medicine when pains torture us and a refuge when evils overwhelm us. It remains that book culture should be popularized at all levels. I hope that your readers will find the refuge they seek in my works, just as I would like to see my own works, especially my last essay, which I have just published, will lead to a wide and calm discussion, and will be able to bring about the most anticipated.
