Aïcha Haddad

Aïcha Haddad (; 1937 – February 24, 2005) was an Algerian visual artist. Known by the nickname Moudjahida, she combined Algerian miniaturist tradition with Western art movements like cubism, symbolism, and nouveau réalisme.

Early life Aïcha Haddad was born in 1937 in Bordj Bou Arréridj, Algeria. Her life and work were marked by the history of her family, who hailed from the Hachem tribe in Medjana. She was deeply tied to Algeria's Hautes Plaines, where she would spend her childhood and adolescence. In 1956, after finishing her studies, she joined the Combattants de la Libération guerrilla group and participated in the Soummam conference, where the Algerian state was founded. During this time, Haddad was arrested by the French colonial army and imprisoned for more than four years.

Artistic career After being freed from prison at the country's independence in 1962, she moved to Algiers and began studying art with the painter at the Society of Fine Arts of Algiers. She also worked as an inspector for the Ministry of National Education from 1983 to 1988.

Since 2003, a prize for female painters given by the City of Algiers has been named in her honor. A room at the National Museum of Fine Arts of Algiers also bears her name.