Celebration of the 72nd anniversary of the National Day of November 1st, 1954
10/11/2026
Sydney-Middle East Times Int'l: The Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency Mr Nafaâ Meghlaoui, and his wife hosted a reception to mark the 72nd anniversary of the launch of Algeria’s National Liberation Revolution.
Held at The Marion in Canberra, the reception brought together a large gathering of guests, including ambassadors from Arab, African and other countries. Among those present were the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Mr Sultan bin Fahd bin Khuzaim; the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait, His Excellency Mr Malek Alwazzan; the Ambassador of Lebanon, Her Excellency Ms Myrna Khawly; and the Ambassador of Türkiye, His Excellency Mr Ufuk Gezer.
Also attending were Mr Jonathan Muir, Chief of Protocol at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Mr Ralf King, First Assistant Secretary of the Department’s Middle East and Africa Division and a friend of the publication.
Guests included diplomatic, religious, business, academic and community figures, local councillors, a delegation from the Middle East Times International, and members of the embassy’s staff.
The reception began with an exchange of toasts, followed by the playing of the Algerian and Australian national anthems. The occasion was distinguished by its excellent organisation, strong attendance and Ambassador Meghlaoui’s address, which honoured Algeria’s struggle for independence and reaffirmed its commitment to freedom, human dignity and international cooperation.

The following is an edited transcript of the Ambassador’s address:
Ladies and Gentlemen, 
Dear compatriots,
It is with both pride and a sense of solemn duty that I address you on the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of the outbreak of the glorious Revolution of November 1st 1954, which restored our independence and national sovereignty at the cost of heavy sacrifices made by the Algerian people. The commemoration of November 1st, represents a national communion in tribute to our valiant martyrs and our courageous freedom fighters who at every period of our history have demonstrated their courage and determination, whether in times of war or in times of peace. Ordinary men and women who have done extraordinary things to defend our values and ideals. These fighters for freedom are examples of dignity, integrity, determination, and courage. Their stories inspire us and remind us that, no matter the challenges we face, we have within us the strength and the resilience needed to overcome them. 1 In the face of the colonial dark night, and for over a century, the successive uprisings of the Algerian people heroically attested to their resolute refusal of occupation. As a witness, this region of the world – the Pacific – was the setting for a significant chapter in the Algerian people’s struggle for freedom : between 1864 and 1921, more than 2000 Algerians were deported to the penal colony in New Caledonia because of their uprising against colonialism. Now, they are becoming in the thousands and they live in complete harmony with the peoples of this beautiful and generous region of the world. On this National Day, let us pay tribute to these heroes, famous or unknown, who have shown courage and determination in facing colonialism, apartheid, injustice, discrimination and racism. May their example inspire and guide us, as we continue to build a peaceful world and work for a better future for all. The landmark that guided the Algerian people in reclaiming their freedom was their deep conviction that the colonial night will certainly dissipate. The values of freedom and the right of peoples to determine their own destiny are not merely values produced by the Algerian revolution in iron and blood; they also represent the heart and the soul of our Nation. This day is not only a celebration of our past. It is also an acknowledgment of our present and a determined look toward the future. 2 This is, dear friends, the framework that explains why the Algerian people always stand on the side of oppressed peoples, such as the Palestinian people and the people of Western Sahara, who are enduring the hardships of colonialism under the powerless, often passive, and sometimes complicit gaze of some of us. But at the end, the thirst for freedom will always prevail. That’s our conviction. 
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, These principles provide an important foundation for Algeria’s relations with Australia. Algeria attaches great importance to its longstanding relations with Australia and remains committed to strengthening the bonds of friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation between our two countries. Our bilateral relationship offers significant opportunities to expand cooperation across a wide range of areas, including political dialogue, trade and investment, energy, education, scientific research, culture and people-to-people exchanges. On this day when we celebrate our history, our present, and our hopes for the future, it is also important to highlight the significant impact that the values of the Algerian revolution continue to have on all of humanity, in particular among those for whom the values of freedom, justice, and respect for human dignity are inalienable. 3 In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that the world we live- in, sometimes seems to lose sight of the fundamental principles of peace, security and peaceful coexistence of civilizations and religions upon which multilateralism was built. We watch with concern a certain loss of bearings. We are confronted with an increasingly complex world that makes some of us feel disoriented and hopeless. The erosion of a sense of belonging first to humanity before feeling it toward a specific community, the decline of trust in institutions, and the growing sense of disillusionment can lead to a loss of values that are at the heart of our concerns and respective duties. In the face of this dangerous trend, it is crucial that we redouble our efforts to reaffirm and strengthen the principles of freedom, equal opportunity, and openness to dialogue between cultures, religions and civilizations. We must show our young people the importance of these values, not just in words, but through our actions. Each of us has a role to play in building our shared future in a world of peace and peaceful coexistence among nations. Finally, allow me to conclude my speech with a quote from one of Africa's iconic figures of freedom, Nelson Mandela, who said: « For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others ». 4 5 And now, please allow me to say a few words in Arabic to address the members of our esteemed Algerian community.