Table Of ContentADVANCE PRAISE FOR
COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFUL
The Life and Times of Emir Abd el-Kader
“John Kiser has not just given us an absorbing and beautifully written story of a
great hero, he has written an important book. Too few Westerners, I fear, are familiar
with the 19th Century warrior/saint, Abd el Kader, whose leadership, learning, and
compassion won the heart of the French nation, his sworn enemy and the invader of
his Algerian homeland. A brilliant and tenacious military commander, el Kader lived
by the highest standard of Islamic tradition and thought. The reader is bound to be
moved by the life of this remarkable man who was the very opposite of a fanatical
jihadist.” - Jane Geniesse, author of The Passionate Nomad: The Life of Freya Stark and
American Priestess: The Story of the American Colony in Jerusalem
“Commander of the Faithful is one of those dazzling biographies that inform our mod-
ern life. A fascinating figure, Abd-el-Kader was a man of God, who put his Muslim
religion into practice and who served as a bridge between the European and Islamic
worlds. We have much to learn from his life and from this book, which offers us a
vivid glimpse of some of the most important events of the 19th century.”
- Susan Eisenhower, Chairman of the Eisenhower Group, author of Mrs. Ike
“Today more than ever, Muslims and non-Muslims alike need to be reminded of
the courage, compassion and intellect of Emir Abd el-Kader. Kiser beautifully tells
the dramatic story of how the moral compass provided by Abd el-Kader’s faith and
learning propelled him to become one of 19th century’s most admired figures. His
conduct in war, in prison and in exile, represent the true concept of jihad. Abd
el-Kader’s jihad provides Muslims with a much-needed antidote to the toxic false
jihads of today, dominated by anger, violence and politics. Thank you John Kiser for
the great service of bringing him back to life. Abd el-Kader is truly a treasure for the
world.” - His Royal Highness, Prince Hassan bin Talal, Prince of Jordan
“John Kiser weaves the intricate tale of Abd el-Kader’s heroic life and spirit as deftly as
the emir maneuvered his armies on the battlefield. With engaging history and stylistic
flare, Kiser brings to life the inspiring story of a great world leader that many Western
readers will not have heard of before. Importantly, Kiser’s work skillfully reveals that
Abd el-Kader’s legacy transcends the bounds of both time and age, discovering the
19th Century scholar-priest-warrior as the perfect elixir for the contemporary West’s
chronic difficulties understanding the East.” - Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, author of
What is Right about Islam
“John Kiser’s engagingly written and intelligently crafted Commander of the Faithful
artfully shows how and why Abd el-Kader emerged as a world icon, and whose ex-
ample is badly needed today. I highly recommend this book.” - Philip Khoury, past
president of the Middle Eastern Studies Association and Ford International Professor
of History, MIT
“… an extremely important book for both Muslim and non-Muslim audiences…in
Abd el-Kader, we can look to a leader – a scholar, spiritual master, and warrior – who
struggled for justice in his own society without transgressing the limits of just war.”
- Daisy Khan, Executive Director, American Society for Muslim Advancement
“Kiser’s book is highly relevant to what is going on in the Islamic world. Abd el-
Kader is the embodiment of the true moral, theological and rational ideas taught
by Islam. I strongly recommend this book…” - Muhammad Ammar Khan Nasir,
Editor Monthly Al-Sharia, Pakistan
“I hope and pray we can make Abd el-Kader’s life and message more accessible to
people in this time when it is so sorely needed. Kiser does a beautiful job of mixing
a dramatic narrative with solid scholarship.” - Reza Shah-Kazemi, editor of Islamic
World Report, Author and research associate of the Institute of Ismaili Studies in
London
“This engrossing and uplifting story of emir Abd el-Kader…could only have been
written by someone with a profound knowledge of the French and Arab worlds and
a keen sense of the eternal struggle between morality and Realpolitik…” - Fredrick
Starr, Chairman Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced
International Studies
“…a masterful rendition of Abd el-Kader... who stands as a giant for the ages, one
we could do well to study and emulate.” - Douglas Johnston, author of Religion: The
Missing Dimension in Statecraft
“Abd el-Kader is a special gift that comes from the sands of Algeria… Kiser’s book
is an invitation to discover and pause, appreciating the life of an unexpected hero.”
- Andrea Bartoli, Combie Chair for Conflict Resolution, George Mason University
“Abd el-Kader lived by a chivalric code steeped in the Arab concept of honor. When,
in our own day al-Qaeda terrorists claim the title of “knight,” it’s worth recalling a
time when Arab warriors embodied the noblest attributes of knighthood: courage
compassion and restraint. John Kiser brings both the man and his world brilliantly to
life.” - Steve Simon, Sabbagh Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
“… In an era when Islam is feared and widely misunderstood in the West, when we are
often told that Islamic values are threatening to our way of life, here is the story of a
Muslim hero whose tolerance, humanity and forbearance offer a persuasive rebuttal…
This excellent book is both highly entertaining history and a powerful argument for
respect and tolerance across religions.” - Kenton W. Keith, Former US Ambassador
to Qatar and Vice President, Meridian International Center Washington, DC
“In Abd el-Kader, Kiser gives us a lens to understand the highest traditions of the
Arab Muslim culture…Explaining the importance of Abd el-Kader’s voluntary sur-
render, a French general tells his parliament: “Abd el-Kader is the embodiment of a
principle — that of great religious affection…this man has become the living symbol
of an idea that moves the masses deeply.’ The emir’s real value for interfaith dialogue
is that he is a devoutly conservative Muslim. In a way, this is who we should be
negotiating with.” – David Mc Allister-Wilson, President, John Wesley Seminary
commander of
the faithful
commander of
the faithful
The Life and Times
of Emir Abd el-Kader
John W. Kiser
MONKFISH BOOK PUBLISHING COMPANY
RHINEBECK, NEW YORK
Commander of the Faithful © 2008 by John W. Kiser
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any man-
ner without written permission from the publisher except in critical articles and
reviews. Contact the publisher for information:
Monkfish Book Publishing Company
27 Lamoree Road
Rhinebeck, N.Y. 12572
Printed in The United States of America.
Book and cover design by Georgia Dent.
Cover art: Portrait of the Young Emir Abd el-Kader / Zoummeroff Collection
ISBN 978-09798828-3-8
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Kiser, John W.
Commander of the faithful : the life and times of Emir Abd el-Kader / by John W.
Kiser.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-0-9798828-3-8
1. ‘Abd al-Qadir ibn Muhyi al-Din, Amir of Mascara, 1807?-1883. 2. Statesmen-
-Algeria--Biography. 3. Soldiers--Algeria--Biography. 4. Algeria--History--1830-
1962. 5. French--Colonization--Algeria. I. Title.
DT294.7.A3K57 2008
965’.03--dc22
2008020888
First Edition
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Bulk purchase discounts for educational or promotional purposes are available.
Monkfish Book Publishing Company
27 Lamoree Road
Rhinebeck, New York 12572
www.monkfishpublishing.com
For Pam, David, Anne and Pierce
Table of Contents
Map viii
Author’s Note ix
Glossary xi
Introduction xiii
PART I F M E, -
Chapter 1. A General in the Dock 3
Chapter 2. Lords of the Tent 6
Chapter 3. Unity and Complexity 22
Chapter 4. Arrival of the Infidel 34
Chapter 5. The Obedient Son 46
Chapter 6. France’s New Ally 58
PART II G W, B W, -
Chapter 7. Building an Islamic Nation 69
Chapter 8. The Wheel Turns 85
Chapter 9. “He Looked like Jesus Christ” 96
Chapter 10. An Uneasy Peace 106
Chapter 11. The Emir’s Frenchman 117
Chapter 12. Jihad 130
Chapter 13. Total War 140
Chapter 14. Trail of Tears 160
Chapter 15. Mischief Makers 172
Chapter 16. Men of Honor 186
PART III E H, -
Chapter 17. Betrayal 199
Chapter 18. “The View 1s Magnificent” 221
Chapter 19. A Prison Fit for a King 240
Chapter 20. Liberation 254
Chapter 21. The Emir’s Letter 262
Chapter 22. The Road to Damascus 274
Chapter 23. All for One 293
Chapter 24. Distinguished Misfits 314
Acknowledgments 324
Chronology of Main Events 325
Chapter Notes 329
Bibliography 340
Index 347
