Quranic Schools in Algeria’s Blida A Preferred Destination for Parents in Summer
They rush to enroll their children in various Quranic schools scattered across local mosques as soon as the academic year ends.
This demand helps fill children's free time and encourages them to memorize the Quran. Statistics reflect this trend: According to Mourad Ibrahimi, the director of religious affairs in Blida, there has been a significant increase in the number of students attending these schools, with the number of applicants exceeding 50,000 by early July. This marks a 100% increase compared to last year, when 25,000 students were enrolled.
Blida, long known as the “City of Scholars”, stands out for its religious character. Families are eager for their children to learn various religious teachings by attending mosques. This is not limited to boys but also includes girls, as mosques witness a large turnout of children of all ages—especially in the mornings and after afternoon prayers—to receive traditional and group instruction.
Each child is required to memorize as much of the Quran as possible, while younger children are only expected to listen to the verses.
Some parents say Quranic schools are among the most important spaces that help them occupy their children’s free time and contribute to their upbringing, especially as families face a shortage of safe playgrounds and the increasing dangers of the streets.
One resident of El Affroun recounts how the Quranic school significantly improved his son’s educational abilities, as he was able to learn the principles of Quranic memorization after years of study. He believes Quranic schools are safe educational havens that combine religious instruction with protecting children from street dangers, particularly given the lack of appealing facilities during summer vacations.
Mourad Ibrahimi, the director of religious affairs in Blida, emphasized that his administration places great importance on Quranic education due to its role in helping prevent social deviance and behavioral issues. He noted that Blida leads in Quranic education, as reflected in statistics on the number of Quranic schools and departments, as well as the high annual enrollment rates.
Ibrahimi pointed out the role of the Blida Quranic Council, stating that it is one of the province’s earliest educational pioneers, supervised by certified teachers in the ten Quranic recitations. The council attracts reciters from within and outside the province to learn the rules of Lahn (tone) and recitation and obtain certification in Quran recitation.
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He added that the demand for Quranic education in Blida continues year-round, but attendance in Quranic classes surges during summer vacations due to the closure of educational institutions. This compels families to direct their children to mosques for Quranic memorization. Quranic schools are available in all mosques across the province, and even in mosques without formal schools, Quran reading circles are held after prayers.
The Algerian Quranic official noted that enrollment capacity depends on the mosque’s size, but what is certain is that all mosques provide Quranic education. The primary goal is to teach the Book of God, provide religious upbringing for youth, and protect them from social harms.
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