The Exemplary Life of Emir Abd al-Qadir al Jazairy

Children, their parents, and teachers will be captivated by the inspiring life-story of one of the world’s noblest and most exemplary leaders.  In this book for children, Emir Abd al-Qadir describes his own childhood and education, growing up in the Algerian Sahara. When, later, the French army invades his country, the people chose him to defend their lands and lives. His enormous restraint on the battlefield, his courage, integrity, selflessness and compassion- which even extended to the enemy- serves us as a beautiful reminder: even under extraordinarily dreadful circumstances, such as war, it is possible to live up to the highest standards of human dignity, respect for others and innate goodness. After signing a truce to relieve his people’s suffering, the Emir was exiled by the French to Syria where his inner spiritual and saintly life was nourished. Later, in Damascus, when a terrible riot broke out, this revered Muslim figure took Christian and Jewish families, as well as the French, into his own home to protect them.

Many films and books have been made on Emir Abd al-Qadir’s exemplary life, and he became internationally recognized in his lifetime.  This is a story which clearly illustrates the kind of a person we should all strive to become, strikingly enhanced by the exquisite illustrations of the renowned artist Demi.

The life story of Emir Abd al-Qadir is a deeply inspiring story of a man who strove to live and act with courage, integrity, compassion, selflessness, and devotion to God, even when to do so was extraordinarily difficult.  The Emir’s life serves as a beautiful example to anyone, child or adult, religious or non-religious, that it is possible for us to live up to the highest standards of goodness and integrity, regardless of our circumstances. The Emir is recognized not only in the Muslim world but internationally as an exemplary leader.