Amara Rachid The Medical Student Who Chose the Battlefield скачать в хорошем качестве

Amara Rachid The Medical Student Who Chose the Battlefield

Amara Rachid was born on December 6, 1934, in Oued Zenati, in the Guelma province. He came from a well-off, patriotic family that would sacrifice four of its sons for Algeria’s cause, two of whom fell as martyrs on the battlefield. A brilliant student, Amara completed his primary education in Oued Zenati, then moved with his family to Azazga, later to Bordj Ménaïel, and finally to Algiers. There, he attended Ben Aknoun High School and then Lycée Bugeaud, now known as Lycée Emir Abdelkader. He earned his baccalaureate and enrolled in the Faculty of Letters at the University of Algiers. However, driven by a thirst for knowledge and perhaps by a sense of duty toward his country, he sat for his baccalaureate a second time and switched to medical studies. After the outbreak of the Algerian Revolution, Amara’s deep patriotism attracted the attention of revolutionary leaders such as Abane Ramdane, Krim Belkacem, and Larbi Ben M’hidi. He became one of the founding members of the General Union of Algerian Muslim Students (UGEMA), alongside prominent figures like Mohamed Seddik Benyahia and Zouleikha Belkaddour. A dedicated activist, he also joined Ferhat Abbas in the Party of the Friends of the Manifesto and Liberty (AML). In November 1955, colonial authorities arrested him along with Ferhat Abbas and Dr. Ahmed Francis while they were traveling together. He spent nearly five months in prison and was released in March 1956 thanks to interventions by his father and Ferhat Abbas. Upon his release, Amara resumed his revolutionary activities. He transformed his apartment on Telemly Street (now Krim Belkacem Street) into a hub for secret meetings of revolutionary leaders. His courage and dedication earned him the trust of Abane Ramdane and other key figures, who entrusted him with critical missions. Moudjahida Zouleikha Belkaddour recalled him as a fierce militant, ready to sacrifice everything for his homeland. On May 19, 1956, Amara responded to UGEMA’s historic call and participated in the famous student strike, where hundreds declared: “Another diploma won’t turn us into beautiful corpses.” Later, Amara and several comrades were sent to the Fourth Zone in the region of Beni Marsa, near Tablat. There, he was welcomed by Si Sadek (real name Slimane Dahiles) and worked alongside militants like Safia Bazi and Mariem Belmihoub. He became a first aid instructor at the infirmary he managed, which also served as a political training center and a command post for the resistance. However, betrayal and colonial repression soon struck. Following a denunciation, the French army launched a sweeping operation led by General Guillaume and Colonel Bigeard, eventually locating the infirmary. On July 26, 1956, surrounded and under heavy attack, Amara Rachid fell heroically on the battlefield, weapon in hand, faithful to his oath to fight for Algeria’s freedom. His name remains forever etched in Algeria’s history—a symbol of a youth who chose liberty over submission.