Pro-French Algerians during the war of independence (1954 - 1962); also known as French Muslims.
Harkis is derived from the Arabic harakat, meaning "military movement" or "operation." Since the beginning of French colonialism in Algeria in July 1830, local people served as military auxiliaries. During the Algerian War of Independence (1954 - 1962), approximately 100,000 harkis served France in various capacities (e.g., regular French army, militia self-defense units, police, and paramilitary self-defense units). Their most prominent leader was the Benaïssa Boulam. After the war, many harkis left for France, but the majority remained in Algeria and faced brutal retributions.
Those in France found inadequate housing conditions (often in isolated relocation camps) and a lack of educational and economic opportunities. This provoked a variety of protests by these forgotten French citizens, ranging from hunger strikes and kidnappings in the 1970s to violence in the 1990s. The French government issued a stamp in 1990 to honor the harkis' contribution, which elicited official protest from Algeria. The population of the French - Muslim community is about 475,000. In France, they remain second-class citizens, are victims of discrimination, and are often confused with the emigrant worker community. It is still unsafe for harki veterans to visit Algeria, but their children and descendants are welcome.
— PHILLIP C. NAYLOR
