Abdelkader Barakrok

Barakrok was born in 1915 in Khenguet Sidi Nadjil, near Biskra, Algeria.^[1] He was the son of a non-commissioned officer. Barakrok obtained his baccalaureate from Ahmed Reha Houhou High School in Constantine, and became a doctor after graduating from the Faculty of Medicine of Algiers. In 1937, he was put in charge of medical aid in Aurès.^[2] In 1948, he was elected municipal councilor of Khenchela. He then served as the general councilor of Constantine Department and later as a deputy in the Algerian assembly.^[2]

In 1957, Barakrok became the first Algerian Muslim to serve as Secretary of State in a government of the French republic.^[2] He served in the governments of Maurice Bourgès-Maunoury from June–September 1957 and Félix Gaillard from November 1957 to April 1958. During his stint as secretary of state, he was the victim of a failed attack on him.^[2] He settled permanently in Paris.^[2]

After his stint in politics, Barakrok joined the health inspectorate, in particular researching the health conditions of Muslims in France.^[2] Barakrok died on October 31, 2006, in Paris.^[1]