Béni Abbès, also known as the Pearl of the Saoura, and also as the White Oasis, is a town and commune located in western Algeria in Béchar Province, 241 km (150 mi) far from the provincial capital Béchar, and 1,200 km (746 mi) from Algiers.

Charles Eugène, vicomte de Foucauld de Pontbriand,, commonly known as Charles de Foucauld, was a French soldier, explorer, geographer, ethnographer, Catholic priest and hermit who lived among the Tuareg people in the Sahara in Algeria. He was assassinated in 1916. His inspiration and writings led to the founding of a number of religious communities inspired by his example, such as the Little Brothers of Jesus.