Print
Email
Cite
Madani, Abbasi
(b. 1931 )
Algerian Islamic activist and political leader. As a member of the National Liberation Front (FLN), Madani resisted the French colonizers. He was arrested and imprisoned for eight years. Later received a British doctoral degree in comparative education and was appointed professor at the University of Algiers ( 1978 ). He grew increasingly critical of the FLN's socialist orientation, and when a new constitution allowing the formation of political parties was adopted in February 1989 , Madani established the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS). In the 1990 elections FIS won a majority of parliamentary seats. A new electoral law favoring the FLN was passed, and he and his deputy, Ali Bel Hajj , were arrested and sentenced to twelve years for leading an armed conspiracy against state security. Managing to integrate several Islamic parties into the FIS, Madani transformed the party into a potent political force in Algeria, challenging the historic monopoly of the FLN.
