French, Algerian and Muslim
In October 2020, French President Emmanuel Macron announced to the nation that Islam was “a religion in crisis”. In his televised speech, he unveiled a political programme to strengthen laïcité and eliminate a “parallel society” of radical Muslims who live outside of French values. His bold assertion underscored the complexities surrounding the presence of Islam within the French socio-political landscape and encapsulated a broader conversation that has unfolded over decades and become intricately interwoven into the fabric of France's historical, cultural, and religious identity. Macron’s speech marked a crucial juncture in the nation’s introspection, sparking renewed debates about the place of Islam in French society, the boundaries of secularism, and the challenges posed by a diverse Muslim population.
Today, France is home to over five million Muslims, a figure representing roughly ten per cent of France’s population and fifty per cent of France’s immigrant population. Most French Muslims trace their origins to former French colonies in North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, with three quarters of Muslims from France originating from the countries of the Maghreb. Despite Islam’s longstanding history in France dating back to the eighth century, its presence has been the subject of ongoing debate and has been fuelled by questions surrounding the integration of Muslim communities in the twentieth and twenty-first century. France’s secular identity and its all-encompassing definition of citizenship means that the French experience with Islam is a particularly noteworthy example of the encounter between Islam and the West. However, this encounter has not come without challenges. The tension between laïcité, a cornerstone of French identity, and the desire of Muslim citizens to express their religious beliefs has been a recurring theme in French social and political discourse.
Within this diverse community, Algerians hold a significant and distinctive position, standing as the largest ethnic minority group in the country. The National Institute of Demographic Studies (INED) estimates that over 1.1 million people of Algerian origin live in France, while a more recent study found that if three generations were taken into consideration, this number would increase to 2.2 million. Official Algerian estimates, meanwhile, are closer to 6 million. While there are certainly discrepancies in these estimates, the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSÉE) found that 4% of children born in France have an Algerian father, with this figure increasing to 10% in departments like Seine-Saint-Denis.
Photo by Monique Hervo
Photo by Georges Azenstarck
Photo by INA
While Algeria became independent six decades ago, its colonial history continues to impact and shape its relationship with France. French colonisation of Algeria was one of the longest periods of European colonisation in Africa, lasting from 1830 to 1962. After the French arrived in Algeria in 1830, the country soon became known as ‘Algérie Française’ – remaining a French colony for 132 years. The Algerian War of Independence, fought between 1954 - 1962, was one of the longest and most violent decolonisation struggles of the twentieth century.
The Algerian community in France has been shaped by various waves of immigration. The first large wave of immigration occurred during the First World War when France needed manpower and soldiers. A second large wave of immigration occurred during and after the Second World War, when French industrialists appealed to foreign European labour to help with the reconstruction of France, but also turned to ‘colonial labour’, in particular Algerians. After Algeria’s independence in 1962, immigration to France slowed down, with the exception of an influx of harkis who had served in the French Army and were now under threat in their newly independent country. Three decades later, the 1990s saw a third significant period of migration from Algeria to France. As the country erupted into civil war, thousands of Algerians immigrated to France, including those granted political asylum, as well as large numbers of illegal refugees.
Today, the French Algerian youth represent ‘otherness’ to much of French society; they encapsulate the nation’s fears about radical Islam, immigration, violence, crime and delinquency. While first-generation Algerian immigrants struggled to be accepted in society, it’s now a younger generation who are grappling with the negative stereotypes they have inherited, some of which were forged centuries ago. Since the emergence of French hip-hop in the 1980s, this genre of music has become a powerful channel of communication for the French Algerian youth. It encapsulates their frustrations and challenges their marginalised, often vilified, position in society. It also serves as a vehicle of expression for complex questions of identity and belonging.
In the interviews below, rappers Jarod, Sinik, Freeman and Worms-T discuss what it means to be French, Muslim and Algerian today.
Jarod
Jarod is a rapper who was born in France to an Algerian father and Hungarian mother.
In this interview, Jarod explores his identity as a Muslim and second-generation immigrant. He discusses the challenges he faced growing up, particularly surrounding the racism and discrimination he experienced. He also touches on Algerian colonial history, and its impact on young people in contemporary France.
Sinik
Born in Paris to an Algerian father and French mother, Sinik began rapping in 1996, at the age of 16 . With over 200 million total views on his YouTube videos, he has been widely celebrated for his important contributions to French hip-hop.
In this short interview clip, Sinik discusses some of the hypocrisies he has observed in French society - especially when it comes to the treatment of Muslims.
With songs like ‘Le Reveil’ and ‘Douce France’, Sinik’s music often brings to life these issues in striking ways. His social commentary illustrates a poignant reality for many children of immigrants in France today.
Freeman (IAM)
Referred to as the “dinosaur of hip-hop”, Freeman is one of the most influential French rappers of the early generation. Born in Marseille to Algerian parents, he rose to fame as a member of the hip-hop group IAM, who were pioneers of early hip-hop in France. In an interview in his hometown, Marseille, Freeman voiced his concerns regarding the position of Algerians in France:
“As Algerians, the relationship we have with France is very difficult. We still have a negative image….the robber, the profiteer, the trafficker. Even though my generation fought against this, this is how we are seen.
I’m not out of Harvard, I only went up to 3ème at school, but 10 years later, my texts are being studied at Sorbonne University. You’re studying my texts at university… is that not worth anything for you [France]? I’ve done conferences in universities. The only thing you refer to me as though is ‘the immigrant’ or ‘the guy from the hood’.
Algerians have a lot of difficulty evolving in French society. For young Algerians who are successful in university, they’ll be directed to manual labour. Those who can be doctors, engineers, those who even have qualifications of Bac +10, are working at MacDonalds.”
Freeman is now working on a new collaboration called ‘DZ²’, featuring groups like Gypsy Kings and Buena Vista Social Club, with the aim of showcasing the important legacy of immigrant communities in France.
Freeman performing at a concert in Cairo in 2008 alongside IAM and Algerian raï singer Cheb Khaled.
Worms-T
For rapper Worms-T, originally from Bobigny in Paris, Algerians have lived with a number of setbacks. Not only do they represent the largest Muslim community in France, they carry the weight of a complex colonial legacy. In these brief interview clips, Worms-T juxtaposes these two challenges.