Every year on July 5th, Algeria marks a day that changed its destiny forever. Independence Day is not just a date on the calendar; it is a powerful symbol of freedom, sacrifice, and national pride. This day honors the end of French colonial rule in 1962 and celebrates the resilience and courage of the Algerian people who fought for their country’s sovereignty. For Algerians at home and abroad, July 5th is a moment to remember the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future....

*Scholars Introduction When the Association of Algerian Muslim Ulemas (Jam‘iyyat al-‘Ulama al-Muslimin al-Jazā’iriyyīn) was founded on May 5, 1931, Algeria had been under French colonial rule for more than a century. Most Algerians were denied access to their own language, religion, and identity. French educational policies prioritized assimilation, while many traditional institutions were dismantled or brought under colonial control. In this environment, a group of reformist scholars sought...

Debates around illegal crossings in the English Channel often focus on what is most visible: small boats leaving the French coast and arriving in the UK. Governments respond with funding packages, surveillance measures, and promises of tougher enforcement. But this approach overlooks a more fundamental issue—one that begins long before migrants ever reach the sea. The UK’s latest agreement with France reflects this pattern. A £662 million deal aims to reduce crossings through increased...