Tlemcen, Portrait of Islamic Culture Capital

Located at an altitude of 850 meters from sea level, the city of Tlemcen in western Algeria has an important role in the development of Islamic culture. Conference of ministers of culture of Islamic countries in Baku, Azerbaijan 2009, has established the city as the capital of Islamic culture in 2011. Community cultural institutions of Islamic countries were called the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Isesco).

Not classified as a big city, Tlemcen has a long history of Islamic civilization in the process. The city is not known exactly when the establishment. History records that, in times of BC, the city was inhabited by the Berbers of Numidia with the regime led by King Syfax. Beginning in the year 32 BC to 430 BC, came the Romans, Vandals, and Byzantines.

While the influence of Islam began to come to Tlencem in the seventh century of the year 671 BC with the arrival of the Arabs. Later in the year 790 BC, the dynasty Idrissides of Fes (now in Morocco) occupied the city. Idrissides dynasty, the region fell into the hands of Ibn Youcef Tachfine and his son Ali bin Youcef. This period is called the Almoravide.

Furthermore, the development of Islam in Tlemcen perdaban forwarded by Abdelmoumene Ben Ali began in 1143. This period known as the Almohad period. Not only the Islamic civilization developed, in this period, Abdelmoumene also encourage economic growth in Tlemcen.

A very rapid change in the region continues to occur. This condition is visible from the 13th century until the 16th century. At that time, the dynasty which controls Tlemcen is Zianides dynasty founded by Yagmorachen. The power of Tlemcen then transmitted by Abu Zain Othmane, Abou Ziane I, and Abou Tachfine. In this period, the management of the city lasted more modern Tlemcen.

In the year 1236, the dynasty built the great mosque in the city center. Until now, the mosque is still standing strong with rectangular towers. The interior of the mosque was filled with the pole vault with a polygon shape. The building is a landmark one Tlencem and visited many people who want to see past the city.

Tlencem grand mosque also has a sanctuary with a very strong ornament colors influenced the arts of Andalusia. Form of interior design is also something like the mosque of Cordoba. The dominant style of building the great mosque mihrab of Tlemcen is a combination of the shape of roses and palm trees (palm).

Dynasty is also building a whole complex of the central government administration in the region Mechoar. This region is located in downtown Tlemcen, and it was surrounded by high walls or castle as a protection. Sebgian castle still looks sturdy stand until now. Yet others have collapsed or turned into other buildings more modern.

One more building is also a monumental mosque in the town of Tlemcen is Mansourah mosque. This mosque was built by Sultan Abou Yacoub in 1299 in Merinide period. At that time the city of Tlemcen region developed into an area of 101 hectares. All the Tlemcen region when it was surrounded by walls which until now are still visible marks.

In addition to keeping the region from foreign attack, high tempok is also useful to control the movement of all citizens of Tlemcen. At that time, the wall that surrounded the Tlemcen equipped with 80 towers and four gates.

From the 13th century Tlemcen continues to grow. Various monuments built, as witness the establishment of the city's history. In the same century, dozens, Tlemcen began establishing trade relations with other regions in Africa, is also part of the European region. Commercial life was born and marked with the establishment of the trade area named El Kessaria.

Region's commercial and much visited by Muslims from Andalusia, as well as Jews from other regions in Spain. At that time, the city of Tlemcen population reached 100 thousand inhabitants, and classified into major cities. History records that, in the year 1236, Muslims in Andalusia who Tlemcen reached 50 thousand inhabitants. That is why the influence of al-Andalus became very strong and is still felt till today. Each year, the local city government held the Andalusian music festival, and became one of the evidence is still bercokolnya Andalusian influence in Tlemcen.

The development was walking rapidly make many parties contested Tlemcen. From the west region in the influence Merinidas dynasty that built the mosque of Sidi Sidi Boumediene and Haloui, also winning in Mansourah palace. These buildings can still be seen today.

TlemcenHampir same town atmosphere also influences power in Turkey in the 16th century until the 19th century. Then colonialism began in Tlemcen in 1842 with the arrival of the French. French power in Tlemcen continued fester until the year 1962 along with the independence of Algeria. Throughout the French colonial period, Tlemcen did not experience any change in the city.

Once free in the year 1962, the city area has reached 300 hectares and some of them are industrial areas. In 1987 Tlemcen population reached 112 thousand inhabitants and continue to grow until it reached about 200 thousand inhabitants. In addition to cultural and commercial city, the region could also known as student city.

Heritage trail scientific tradition in this town at least look at two historic locations namely, Dar El Hadith and medersa Franco-Muslim. Dar El Hadith was founded in 1937 as a place to study Arabic and Islam. The place is managed by the education community of scholars. In the French colonial period, Islamic studies center had closed. Once independent Algeria, Dar El Hadith was revived. Around the year 1990, this institution had grown significantly.

While medersa Franco-Muslim (or madrasah for Franco-Muslim) was founded in 1905. These schools include prestigious educational institutions that produce a lot of Muslims in the region.

With so many roles and historical heritage of Islamic civilization, it is not surprising if Tlemcen later crowned as the capital of Islamic culture for 2011 years. President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Tlemcen, Amine Lachachi, revealed that 80 percent of Islamic heritage site in Algeria was in Tlemcen. Until now, the life of the Islamic tradition was running very strong in that area.

With that background, he was deeply miss the presence of Islamic banking in Tlemcen to strengthen its role as capital of Islamic culture. Currently, the banking climate in the region is not yet well developed. Most entrepreneurs manage their own finances, and only make the bank as a place to save money. However, he said, Islamic banks should be able to start there to fix the economic foundations of Islam in the region.