Help to identify this African(?) knife

[shayde78]

I've had this about a year, and still don't know for sure if it represents a known style/form of knife. I learned that the script is Arabic, in the Moroccan or Algerian dialect, and approximately reads, "be merciful to the ones around you [neighbors]".

Both sides of the hilt are adorned with metal. The back of the sheath is simple leather. On the reverse from the script is a depiction of an elephant. This is the strongest indication to me it is for a tourist that would view an elephant as exotic.

For scale, the squares on the chessboard are 2"x2"

So, any feedback on the form, and is it one that represents a legitimate knife style from a particular region? As always, thank you for your insights