Zuleikha Al-Shayeb: Symbol of Algerian Resistance

Zuleikha Al-Shayeb was a fighter for the National Liberation Front (FLN) during the Algerian War against French colonial rule. Captured by French forces on October 15, 1957, she endured severe torture, including being dragged behind a vehicle, which resulted in significant bodily injuries.

Despite her suffering, she did not plead for mercy. Following ten days of torture, she was executed by being dropped from a helicopter into a forest, with the exact location of her death undisclosed by the French.

Her story remained largely unrecognized until 1984, when her remains were identified in an Algerian village. Zuleikha has since become a symbol of resilience and resistance for African women, embodying the struggle against colonial oppression.

Her experiences reflect the brutal tactics employed by French colonialists during their attempts to suppress Algerian independence, as highlighted by the works of psychiatrist Franz Fanon, who studied the psychological impact of colonialism.