Tag: Algiers

Algerian government allows three churches to re-open in June, but now closes another

July 16, 2018 Algeria Aïn Turk, Algeria, Algiers, Bejaia, Mâatkas, Protestant Church of Algeria

In Algeria, the relief of the Protestant minority at the recent re-opening of three churches a month ago has been cut short, after another church was closed last week. On Wednesday (11 July), the building used by a Protestant church in the small town of Riki (8km from Akbou), in . . . Read More

Algerian ‘happy to be free at last’ after jail sentence and fine for carrying Christian items

July 10, 2018 Algeria Aïn Turk, Algeria, Algiers, Idir Hamdad, Mâatkas, Oran, Protestant Church of Algeria, Tizi Ouzou

Algerian Christian Idir Hamdad (World Watch Monitor)

An Algerian Christian given a jail sentence and a fine for carrying a Bible and other Christian items has been acquitted. Idir Hamdad, 29, had been convicted in absentia on 28 September 2017 (though he only learned about this five months later) and given the maximum sentence of six months . . . Read More

Protestant churches in Algeria call on government to treat them fairly

May 23, 2018 Algeria Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Aïn Turk, Algeria, Algiers, Idir Hamdad, Oran, Protestant Church of Algeria

The organisation linking 45 Protestant churches in Algeria, l’Eglise Protestante d’Algérie (EPA), has called on the Algerian government to lift its measure for closing down churches, and to give equal treatment under the Maghreb country’s constitution. “As full citizens, we call on the highest authorities in the country to ensure . . . Read More

Algerian Christian’s fine for importing crucifix keyrings ‘ridiculous’, says lawyer

May 10, 2018 Algeria Algeria, Algiers, Idir Hamdad, Oran, Protestant Church of Algeria, Tizi Ouzou

A court in Algeria has overturned a prison sentence, but upheld a fine, against a Christian man convicted for carrying a Bible and other Christian items. Idir Hamdad, 29, had been convicted in absentia on 28 September 2017 (though he only learned about this five months later) and given the . . . Read More

Algeria: ‘unjust law’ still denying churches their ‘right to worship’

October 19, 2017 Algeria Algeria, Algiers, Mâatkas, Protestant Church of Algeria, Religion Law, Tizi Ouzou

Churches in northern Algeria continue to clash with the authorities over permission to hold services in non-religious buildings. Authorities in Tizi Ouzou province – 100km east of the capital, Algiers – have said a 2006 law that regulates non-Muslim worship is breached by churches meeting in houses meant only for . . . Read More

Algerian churches still fighting for freedom of worship

April 29, 2016 Algeria Algeria, Algiers, Churches, Kabylie, Mâatkas, Protestant Church of Algeria

Churches in Algeria are facing intimidation and harassment, despite constitutional provisions guaranteeing freedom of worship in the country. On Sunday 24 April, 2016, a church in Mâatkas, in the north-eastern region of Kabylie, was ordered to cease all religious activities on the grounds that it was in breach of a . . . Read More

Ramadan adds extra pressure for N. African Christians

July 2, 2014 Algeria Algeria, Algiers, Berbers, Hijab, Kabylie, Morocco, Ramadan, Sharia

In the name of all beliefs’ – a flyer for rallies this week in Algeria.World Watch Monitor In about 50 countries across the world, some 1.6 billion Muslims have begun fasting from sunrise to sunset for the 30 days of Ramadan. It occurs every year during the ninth month . . . Read More

Algerian churches, NGOs wary as ‘restrictive’ law comes into force

January 10, 2014 Algeria Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Algiers

A number of churches, as well as foreign NGOs, in Algeria have called for the abolishment of a new law, which they say will hamper their work. Under the law, which will come into effect on Sunday (January 12), NGOs may be dissolved or suspended if their business is deemed . . . Read More

Algeria’s Protestants want their churches back

June 27, 2013 Algeria Algeria, Algiers, Arab Spring, Bejaia, Bibles, Churches, Islamic extremism, Kabylie, Mostaganem, Protestant Church of Algeria, Protestants

The Protestant Church of Algeria (EPA) has reaffirmed its desire to regain control of several former churches used today for other purposes. Christians are the distinct minority in Algeria, representing less than 1% of Algeria’s 38 million inhabitants, and often face restrictions when seeking to build new churches. The presence . . . Read More

Catching Our Eye