Ferhat Mehenni
Ferhat Mehenni, also known as Ferhat Imazighen Imula (Kabyle: Ferḥat Mḥenni or Ferḥat Imazighen Imula, born March 5, 1951), is a Kabyle political activist, singer, and founder and first President of the Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylia. He has been President of the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia (formerly known as the MAK Movement) since June 1, 2010.[1]
Ferhat Mehenni | |
---|---|
![]() Photo taken at the gathering of September 4, 2011, on the Plaza of Human Rights in Paris | |
President of the MAK | |
Assumed office June 4, 2010 | |
MAK Chairman | |
In office August 24, 2001 – December 9, 2011 | |
Succeeded by | Bouaziz Ait Chebib |
Personal details | |
Born | Illoula Oumalou, Tizi Ouzou Province, French Algeria | March 5, 1951
Citizenship | Algerian |
Political party | RCD (1989–1997) MAK (2001–present) |
Alma mater | University of Algiers |
Profession | Politician |
Awards | NONE |
In 2012, Mehenni was subjected to controversy after visiting Israel, where he voiced his support and solidarity for Israel, comparing it to Kabylia.[2]
Career and Politics
Early life
Mehenni was born on March 5, 1951, in Illoula Oumalou, Tizi Ouzou Province, Algeria. He graduated from the University of Algiers with a degree in political science. Mehenni won first prize in the Algiers Modern Music Festival in 1973. Soon after, he began his career as a protest singer and political activist.[3]
Activism
Due to his hostility towards the Algerian government and extremists, Mehenni was arrested 13 times, imprisoned for 3 years, and tortured repeatedly by government forces.[4]
In response to the Black Spring massacre in Kabylia, Mehenni established the Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylia. The MAK was later reformed into the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia.[5]
Mehenni's eldest son, Améziane Mehenni, was assassinated in 2004.[3]
Bibliography
Mehenni is the author of Algérie: La Question Kabyle, published in 2004, in which he explains his ideas about Kabyle nationalism.
Discography
Title | Translation | Year |
---|---|---|
Chants berbères de lutte et d'espoir | Berber Songs of Struggle and Hope | 1983 |
Tuγac n ddkir | Songs of Steel, Love, and Liberty | 1994 |
Tuγac n tmes d waman | Songs of Fire and Water | 1996 & 2001 |
I Tmurt n Leqvayel | Hymn to Kabylia | 2002 |
Adekker d usirem | Requiem and Hope | 2004 |
References
- https://www.kabylie-gouv.org/.
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(help) - Sharon Udasin; Jan Koscinski (May 27, 2007). "Algeria's Kabylie craves friendship with Israel". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
- MacEoin, Denis (March 22, 2010). "Dissident watch: Ferhat Mehenni". Middle East Quarterly. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- "Dissident watch: Ferhat Mehenni". Middle East Quarterly. March 22, 2010. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2010.
- "Home". makabylie.org.