n the river valley of the Oued M’Zab, in a long valley on the edge of the Sahara, is a cluster of five towns: Ghardaïa, Melika, Beni Isguen, Bou Noura and El-Atteuf. Often referred to collectively as Ghardaïa, the capital, the once distinct villages are gradually sprawling together, but retain separate identities.The M’Zab is home to a conservative Muslim sect known as the Ibadites, who broke from mainstream Islam...
