Bel Hadj El Maafi information

Bel Hadj El Maafi
Bel Hadj el Maafi (in white) in 1947, in front of the Montluc prison, during a commemoration of the French Resistance
Born	October 25, 1900 Lichana, near Biskra, Algeria
Died	February 22, 1999
Nationality	French-Algerian
Occupation(s)	Imam, mufti
Known for	Resistance activities during World War II, collaboration with French authorities during Algerian War

Bel Hadj El Maafi (in Arabic: بَلْحَاجّ ٱلْمْعَفِي), sometimes called Bel Hadj Ben Maafi (October 25, 1900-February 22, 1999), was a French-Algerian imam, marabout, resistance fighter and mufti born in the oasis of Lichana, near Biskra. He practiced in the city of Lyon from 1923 until his death.

As a privileged intermediary between the French authorities and Algerians in Lyon, he engaged in the Resistance and saved numerous Jews during World War II.

Before and during the Algerian War, El Maafi chose to collaborate with the French authorities and remained opposed to Algerian independence. His ties with the French authorities made him a target, and as part of the Café Wars between the National Liberation Front (FLN) and the Algerian National Movement (MNA), he was targeted in an attack by the FLN from which he survived.

Despite the different political currents during the Algerian War, Bel Hadj El Maafi remained highly appreciated by the Muslim community in Lyon until his death. This was mainly due to his longevity and his visits to prisoners, the sick, and Muslim soldiers. However, he left a mixed impression among some former FLN militants.

He was the first imam in Lyon and the first Muslim cleric to have a mosque in the city.