A colorful event was held in Dhaka on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) to mark the National Day of Algerian Muslim Scouts. The event, organized by the Algerian Embassy, was attended by distinguished guests, diplomats, religious leaders, media personnel, embassy officials and scout members.
At the beginning of the event, the Algerian national flag was hoisted and a salute was paid.
Speaking at the event, Algerian Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdelouahab Saidani said, “On this significant day, we commemorate a great sacrifice and tradition that is inextricably linked to the national history of Algeria. May 27 was officially recognized as ‘Algerian Muslim Scouts Day’ by a presidential decree dated April 28, 2021, in memory of the sacrifice of martyr Mohamed Bouras.”
He said, “The Scout Movement was started in 1907 by British Army officer Robert Baden-Powell. It became a global platform to inspire young people to be skilled, responsible and social service. But in Algeria, it had a deeper meaning—it became a preparatory stage for the struggle for independence.”
The ambassador added, “The organization, which started its journey in 1935 under the name ‘Al-Falah’ and transformed into the ‘Algerian Muslim Scouts’ in 1939, played a unique role in the preparation for the great war of liberation. Mohamed Boras nurtured the youth of Algeria by teaching them Islamic values, patriotism, discipline and solidarity. His sacrifice in 1941, at the hands of the French colonial power, is still a source of inspiration for us today.”
He noted that many of Algeria’s national heroes—such as Larbi Ben Mahdi, Ahmed Jabana, Diduch Mourad, Jighud Youssef, Mohamed Boukhris, and Debih Cherif—were nurtured by the Scout movement.
The impact of this movement is also evident in modern Algeria. According to 2021 data, the number of Scout members is more than 77,000, who are participating in various social projects, including school construction, road development, and literacy campaigns. Through the ‘Change Makers Project,’ more than 80,000 Scouts are playing an active role in youth leadership, entrepreneurship development, and social change.
Ambassador Saidani concluded his speech by saying, “This day is not only a day to commemorate the sacrifice of martyr Mohamed Boras—it is a great occasion to inspire our youth with the spirit of courage, leadership, and service. It is our duty to uphold this ideal and spirit and to instill patriotism and responsibility in the future generations.”
The event concluded with a collective prayer and a cultural presentation performed by the scout members.
