In recognizing, honoring, and eternalizing all those who fought, sacrificed, extended solidarity, and supported the great Algerian Revolution of 1954-1962 in all forms of assistance: political struggle, armed resistance, financial aid, civil service, freedom of speech in media and information, literature, art, and associative and party solidarity, as well as diplomatic support in regional and international forums.
Algeria has decided to establish the International Association of Friends of the Algerian Revolution. It’s founding General Assembly was held under the high patronage of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, in Algeria on July 3rd, on the occasion of the celebration of the 61st anniversary of the glorious regaining of national independence. The event witnessed the participation of numerous friends of the Algerian Revolution and their representatives from 31 countries across the world, covering various regions such as Africa, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
The glorious Algerian Revolution was the revolution of all free peoples in the world, the revolution of rights, freedom, justice, and humanity. Therefore, its admirers, supporters, and sympathizers existed in every continent, including even in the country of calorizator – France.
They supported it in all forms, with financial and military aid, political, diplomatic, and media support, as well as popular support through demonstrations, conferences, articles, poetry, plays, and films. Others also participated in the fight within the National Liberation Army and were martyred on Algerian soil.
Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize the interim government of the Algerian Revolution, declared on September 19, 1958. It opened its representative office in the capital, Karachi, at that time. Pakistan also granted diplomatic passports to some leaders of the revolution, including Mr. Ahmed Ben Bella, who became the first President of the Algerian Republic from 1962 to 1965, after the regaining of independence.
Pakistan also supported the positions of the Algerian Revolution in the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement since its establishment in 1955 in Bandung, Indonesia.
Pakistan participated in the founding General Assembly of the International Association of Friends of the Algerian Revolution, represented by Dr. Eqbal Ahmad, a renowned thinker, researcher, journalist, poet, and supporter of the Algerian Revolution.
He was known to have been acquainted with some leaders of the Algerian revolution during his stay in Tunisia between 1962-1964, while preparing his doctoral dissertation on labor organizations in Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco.
Dr. Iqbal Ahmad was a prominent figure in political, academic, media, and literary circles, known for his committed writings and honorable stances in defense of just causes in the world, such as Palestine, the fight against the apartheid regime in South Africa, opposition to the Vietnam War, and others.
Representing Dr. Eqbal Ahmad (who passed away in Islamabad in 1999), a close family member, Professor Pervez Amirali Hoodbhoy, a nuclear physics scientist, participated in the founding assembly and received an award presented by the Ministry of Mujahideen Affairs of Algeria on behalf of Dr. Ahmad.
Ladies and gentlemen, In the augural ceremony of the founding General Assembly of the International Association of Friends of the Algerian Revolution, a speech was delivered on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad, Mr. Ahmed Attaf, expressed Algeria’s recognition and appreciation for the friends of the Algerian Revolution and their valuable contributions for supporting Algeria’s liberation.
He particularly highlighted their well-known sacrifices for the victory of freedom and peace values in the world, emphasizing the importance of preserving and enhancing the national memory, on which the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, pays special attention.
The foreign minister M. Ahmed Attaf also valued the position of Algeria as a symbol, defending just causes in the world, reaffirming its support for the Palestinian cause and the issue of Western Sahara, the last colony in Africa. He emphasized his solidarity with the Palestinian and Sahrawi peoples in their just struggle for independence. The speech concluded by praising the noble goals of the association and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs commitment to accompany and assist it in implementing its program of activities.
In this regard, the former President of Mozambique, Mr. Joaquim Chissano, was elected as the honorary president of the association, and the former Algerian Ambassador, Mr. Nourredine Djoudi, was elected as its president. The executive office of the association is composed of representatives from various regions, including the United States, Italy, Venezuela, Mauritania, Vietnam, Chile, Algeria, and Angola.
Ladies and gentlemen, It is certain that there are many friends of the Algerian Revolution around the world, and some other personalities in Pakistan who have supported the Algerian Revolution. However, due to limited time, it was not possible to include all of them in one founding meeting. Therefore, the doors of the International Association of Friends of the Algerian Revolution will always remain open to many other friends from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and beyond.
This association will serve as an organization to promote awareness of the historical legacy of friends of the Algerian Revolution located anywhere in the world. It will be a platform to express the revolutionary culture, to defend the values of freedom and peace for peoples and nations, in accordance with international norms and agreements. It will also serve as a mirror that reflects the values of humanity, diversity, multilateralism, understanding, and tolerance.
Algeria and Pakistan share a long rich history of solidarity and continuous cooperation. They will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in October 2023, which will be a significant step in the development and enhancement of bilateral relations in various fields, particularly in investment, trade, scientific and technical cooperation, for the benefit of both brotherly countries.
Algeria and Pakistan Zindabad! Thank you for your kind attention and listening.
