Displaying items by tag: Algeria

Algerian Christians cannot openly practise their faith. 99% of the population are Muslim, and intolerance from Muslim relatives and neighbours is a major source of persecution. The state restricts freedom of religion through stringent laws and bureaucracy. Many ethnic Berbers are coming to Christ and Arabs are persecuting them. Laws regulate non-Muslim worship, ban conversion, and prohibit blasphemy. In recent years, several Christian churches with Muslim-background congregations have been ordered to close. Slimane Bouhafs, imprisoned for insulting Islam, was violently harassed by fellow prisoners for his faith. On 16 May a judge denied Pastor Nouredine Belabed's appeal against a sentence of a 100,000-dinar fine and payment of court fees plus a suspended sentence. Pray for the young people, who make up a large percentage of the population as well as the majority of Christians.

Many Churches have been ordered and faced closure of their meeting places. These pressures signal a coordinated campaign of the intensified action against Churches by the governing authorities.

So far, two Churches, the House of Hope and the Church in the south have been closed for meetings and activities. Nine others have been visited by local authorities and it seems like this is their first step before ordering of their closure.

All the accusations leading to the Church closures have been unfounded. The arguments of the authorities are that the local Church buildings are inappropriate for worship and the Church licences that was granted in 2011 are incompatible to the 2012 new law concerning the different associations, and that includes the EPA (The Algerian Protestant Church Association).

They seem to be trying to weaken the Church and render it ineffective. Pastor Mourad of the Church in the south which was recently closed said, “The Church of Jesus is not the walls or the roof, but it is Jesus’ people, His living Body!”

Pray: that ‘no weapon that is formed against God’s people will prosper; and every tongue that rises against them in judgment shall be condemned.’ (Isaiah 54:17)

Pray: for persecuted Christians in the Algerian Church – that they may remain steadfast in their faith despite these challenges.

Pray: strength and wisdom for Pastor Mourad as he continues to lead, teach and nurture his congregation as the ‘Living Body’. (Psalm 17:8)

PrayerCast Video and Profile on Algeria

Algeria’s population is 40.3 million - 99% Muslim, 1% Christian. Literacy: 87% men, 73% women. The country was home to St Augustine, one of the Church’s foremost theologians (354-430). Christianity flourished between the fifth and seventh centuries but disappeared after Arab invasions. Since independence in 1962, an entirely local church has been born among the Berber people. Its astonishing growth in the last few decades is thought to be the fastest in the Arab world, with several thousand new believers baptised every year. Church growth is exciting and challenging. In this ‘first-generation Church’ there is a great need for discipleship, strong biblical teaching and encouragement for believers to live out their new-found faith every day. Such a radical change in their worldview means that new Christians are often left with questions and face many challenges. SAT-7 broadcasts across the airwaves, and is responding to this need with a range of programmes to encourage and disciple Algerian believers.