Algeria Facts
Score: 70/ 100
Region: Africa
Persecution Type: Islamic Oppression
Persecution Level: Very High
Population: 42,008,000
Christians: 125,000
Main Religion: Islam
Government: Presidential Republic
Leader: President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
Profile of Persecution
Violence 45%
Church Life 76%
National Life 71%
Community Life 60%
Family Life 85%
Private Life 78%
Numerous church closures and Muslim backlash
Over the last year, Algeria has seen increasing numbers of churches closed. At the same time, Christian converts have become more open about their faith, leading to a backlash by Muslim families and the intolerant society, including converts’ immediate and extended families. The state also adds to this pressure. Restrictive laws regulating non-Muslim worship, banning conversion and prohibiting blasphemy put Christians at extreme risk. Most of the growth of the Algerian church is taking place in the Kabylie region among Amazighs (who are also referred to as ethnic Berbers). The influence and activity of radical Islamic groups in this area are also sources of danger and Christian persecution for Algerian Christians.
How Christians are suffering
Algeria’s blasphemy laws make it difficult for Christians to share their faith out of fear their conversation may be considered blasphemous and used against them. In Algeria, it’s forbidden by law to “shake the faith” of a Muslim or to use “means of seduction” to convert a Muslim to another religion. Christians also suffer from harassment and discrimination in their daily life. Family members and neighbors try to force converts to adhere to Islamic norms and follow Islamic rites. The pressure Christians face is particularly high in the rural and religiously more conservative parts of the North African country. These regions acted as a stronghold for Islamist insurgents in the fight against the government in the 1990s.
Examples
Over 2018, the Algerian government continued its crackdown on Protestant communities, closing several churches. While some were allowed to reopen after a few months, others remain closed. Actions like these create uncertainty among Algerian believers.
An Algerian convert was arrested for carrying a Bible and other Christian items with him followed by a six-month prison sentence and a fine for his “crime.” In July 2018, he was acquitted.
In April 2018, a Christian convert was released after 18 months in prison. He had been sentenced to five years in prison along with a fine for posting statements on his Facebook page deemed insulting to Islam. His sentence was shortened after a presidential pardon.
Pray for Algeria
Algeria Photo Gallery
Stories from Algeria
October 29, 2019
What it’s like to be beaten for following Jesus in Algeria
Open Doors talks with Pastor Salah, a church leader in Algeria whose church was forcibly shut down by authorities as he and his congregants were beaten. Read More
+ READ MORE
October 18, 2019
Algeria intensifies persecution of churches—pastor, church members beaten
In the last two years, Algerian authorities have aggressively closed Protestant and independent churches around the country. Here's what's happening—and what God is doing in spite of it. Read More
+ READ MORE
May 21, 2019
In Africa, Christians Are in the Flames of Persecution—and On Fire for Jesus
Throughout sub-Saharan Africa, Christians are being held, feet to the flames, and told to deny Christ. Read More
+ READ MORE
Score: 70/ 100
Region: Africa
Persecution Type: Islamic Oppression
Persecution Level: Very High
Population: 42,008,000
Christians: 125,000
Main Religion: Islam
Government: Presidential Republic
Leader: President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
Profile of Persecution
Violence 45%
Church Life 76%
National Life 71%
Community Life 60%
Family Life 85%
Private Life 78%
Numerous church closures and Muslim backlash
Over the last year, Algeria has seen increasing numbers of churches closed. At the same time, Christian converts have become more open about their faith, leading to a backlash by Muslim families and the intolerant society, including converts’ immediate and extended families. The state also adds to this pressure. Restrictive laws regulating non-Muslim worship, banning conversion and prohibiting blasphemy put Christians at extreme risk. Most of the growth of the Algerian church is taking place in the Kabylie region among Amazighs (who are also referred to as ethnic Berbers). The influence and activity of radical Islamic groups in this area are also sources of danger and Christian persecution for Algerian Christians.
How Christians are suffering
Algeria’s blasphemy laws make it difficult for Christians to share their faith out of fear their conversation may be considered blasphemous and used against them. In Algeria, it’s forbidden by law to “shake the faith” of a Muslim or to use “means of seduction” to convert a Muslim to another religion. Christians also suffer from harassment and discrimination in their daily life. Family members and neighbors try to force converts to adhere to Islamic norms and follow Islamic rites. The pressure Christians face is particularly high in the rural and religiously more conservative parts of the North African country. These regions acted as a stronghold for Islamist insurgents in the fight against the government in the 1990s.
Examples
Over 2018, the Algerian government continued its crackdown on Protestant communities, closing several churches. While some were allowed to reopen after a few months, others remain closed. Actions like these create uncertainty among Algerian believers.
An Algerian convert was arrested for carrying a Bible and other Christian items with him followed by a six-month prison sentence and a fine for his “crime.” In July 2018, he was acquitted.
In April 2018, a Christian convert was released after 18 months in prison. He had been sentenced to five years in prison along with a fine for posting statements on his Facebook page deemed insulting to Islam. His sentence was shortened after a presidential pardon.
Pray for Algeria
- Pray with pastors whose churches have been closed, that they would continue to follow the calling God has given them.
- Pray that new believers will stand strong, continuing to be bold, yet discerning, in their witness.
- Pray for protection for Christians who are persecuted by their families and Muslim society.
- Pray with Amazigh Christians in the Kabylie region. Ask God to raise up leaders to disciple new converts and that the growth of the church there would continue to increase.
- The political future in Algeria is a constant tension. Pray for a smooth presidential transition without violence.
Algeria Photo Gallery
Stories from Algeria
October 29, 2019
What it’s like to be beaten for following Jesus in Algeria
Open Doors talks with Pastor Salah, a church leader in Algeria whose church was forcibly shut down by authorities as he and his congregants were beaten. Read More
+ READ MORE
October 18, 2019
Algeria intensifies persecution of churches—pastor, church members beaten
In the last two years, Algerian authorities have aggressively closed Protestant and independent churches around the country. Here's what's happening—and what God is doing in spite of it. Read More
+ READ MORE
May 21, 2019
In Africa, Christians Are in the Flames of Persecution—and On Fire for Jesus
Throughout sub-Saharan Africa, Christians are being held, feet to the flames, and told to deny Christ. Read More
+ READ MORE
