Algeria: World Watch List #32

ALGERIA

Algeria ranks #32 on the World Watch List and is the focus of our prayers this week. In 2006, Ordinance 06-03 was introduced.  It restricts the exercise of any religion other than Islam.  Therefore, it is also illegal to evangelize there.  

Christians are less than 1% of Algeria’s 38 million inhabitants.  Protestant Christians, in Algeria, date back to the French colonial era (Algeria gained its independence in 1962).  Although the Ordinance allowed for religious practice in officially approved buildings, it is very hard for these Christians to practice their faith.  In many cases, the churches have been taken away from them and given to other organizations.  House churches are illegal as they do not have official approval. 

In 2008, a media campaign was launched against churches.  Many churches were destroyed and were not allowed to rebuild. 

Christians in Algeria, now hiding their worship and looking for ways to reach others for Christ, use satellite TV and other multimedia venues to reach non-believers.  At the end of the programs, there are local numbers for the people to call.  Those people are referred to local church groups.  

Christians also face persecution from their neighbors, friends, and family.  There is no protection against it.  For instance, a landlord doesn’t have to give notice to evict you. He can just shove you out, without reason (the reason being the renter is Christian).  You can read these articles, written last month, about some of these types of instances. 

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