USM Alger

Early years

In July 1935, Omar Aichoun and Mustapha Kaoui, both merchants, decided to create an exclusively Muslim sports association in which no European could play. At the time, Algeria was under French colonial rule. Algeria is one of few settler colonies in the world, meaning that their colonial power attempted to replace the native Arab Muslim population of Algeria with French Christians. The budding Algerian independence movement, spearheaded by groups such as the Algerian People's Party and later the FLN, wanted to bring the youth of Algeria together, and so sports clubs like the USMA functioned as a tool to develop a unique sense of Algerian nationalism.

In 1935, the two men gained the support of Arezki Meddad, father of a future Algerian independence fighter Ourida Meddad, which gave them access to the backing of other Algerian nationalists. They selected Ali Lahmar, known as Ali Zaid, a future independence fighter in his own right, along with Sid Ahmed Kemmat to complete the first executive committee of USM Alger, with Ali Zaid serving as president. The honorary presidency was entrusted to Omar Aichoun and Arezki Meddad.

In addition to their nationalist and sporting efforts, Omar Aichoun and Mustapha Kaoui were active members of the Nadi Ettaraki (Circle of Progress), an association established under the French 1901 Law on Associations which regulated Algerian affairs to keep colonial control. Its headquarters were located at 9 Place du Gouvernement in Algiers (now Place des Martyrs). The Circle was closely associated with the Islamic Reform Movement (El Islah), led by Sheikh Tayeb El Okbi. Notably, his son Djamel El Okbi would later become a goalkeeper for USM Alger.

Concerned that engaging in sports might conflict with Islamic principles, the founders consulted Sheikh Tayeb El Okbi, who not only reassured them but also blessed the creation of the club and offered his expressed support. For administrative formalities and to obtain the colonial authorities' approval, the founders approached the Secretary General of MC Alger, who provided them with a copy of the club statutes to serve as a model.

At that time, the Algerian youth were cut off from playing football or any other sport freely and of their own preference. Opportunities to practice were scarce, so the playing fields were the only space for creativity. The Wilaya of Algiers alone could not meet the demands of the large number of young people eager for sports activities. Early founders of USM Alger like Ahmed Kemmat, Ali Zaid, and Arezki Meddad would often use their own money to purchase balls and equipment so that these youths could continue practicing their hobbies without interference from the French Authories.

USM Alger and National Liberation War

In the words of their founder, Ahmed Kemmat: "USMA is also a school of nationalism." At the beginning of 1955, the war for Algerian independence was in full swing, and Mr. Ali Chérifi, the club president at the time, having heard of foolish behavior committed by some young players, summoned the recruits to give them advice. He said to them:

"My children, I don't have the right to call you thugs, even if you're behaving like them, because I know you're from good families, and I know your parents. Listen carefully to what I'm about to say: our country is at war, and we need men to fight French colonialism and drive it out. If tomorrow the leaders of the FLN or the ALN contact us asking for men to join their ranks, do you know what I'd have to tell them? That I only have children here who know nothing but how to fool around. I've made a serious decision if you don't change your behavior, you will no longer play football."

In 1956, the central leadership of the National Liberation Front, or in the original French, Front de libération nationale (FLN) made the strategic decision to suspend all sporting activities of Muslim clubs as part of the national resistance effort. A pivotal meeting was held at the USM Alger circle, located on Rue de Bône, to discuss and decide on the cessation of football. This meeting was chaired by Ali Cherifi, then vice president of USMA and financial officer of the Algerian Autonomous Zone (AAZ). Two of the early leaders of the AZZ were active members of USMA, further illustrating the club's close ties to the liberation movement. Among them was Mohamed Hattab, better known as Habib Reda, a key figure in the AAZ's bomb network. Hattab, who was later sentenced to death by the colonial authorities, played basketball for USM Alger.