Algeria: Ramadan daylight picnic
08 Aug 2013In 2010 two Algerian Christians were taken to court for publicly breaking the Ramadan fast although they were later acquitted. This week 200 people ate together at a public lunch in the town of Tizi Ouzou - protesting against the ‘persecution of non-fasters and creeping Islamisation’ in northern Algeria. One protester named Malik said that recently some Christians were sitting quietly in a cafeteria (which opens during the day throughout Ramadan) when police came and took down the names of all who were there.The police asked the café's owner to report to the police station and confiscated some of his legal documents. Another picnic was held simultaneously in the town of Aokas in the neighbouring Béjaïa Province, which attracted over 100 people. The picnic caused a number of local Islamic associations to express indignation and call on the state to punish those involved. In Algeria, where Islam is the state religion, breaking the Ramadan fast by Muslims in public is punishable by fine and imprisonment, but those being harassed are Christian.
Pray: for the values of tolerance and respect to be in Christian/Muslim relationships, particularly during the month of Ramadan. (IMat.7:12)
Algeria: Churches violates guaranteed freedom
01 Sep 2011While many people residing in Middle Eastern and North African countries are undergoing turmoil, one group in particular are experiencing extreme change for the worse: Christians. This is particularly true for Algerian Christians. Algeria ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1989. Article 18 of this covenant guarantees freedom of religion
and belief for all human beings without discrimination. Further, the constitution of Algeria guarantees fundamental freedoms and human rights to all Algerian citizens. Despite these guarantees, Mustapha Krim, the president of the Protestant Church of Algeria (EPA), was informed by police that all non-Muslim places of worship in Béjaïa Province, would be shut down. Algerian authorities based their decision to shut down the churches on the discriminatory Ordinance 06-03, which regulates non-Muslim worship. In addition to this attack on the Christian community.
Pray: for the authorities that use the law against the church and pray that just laws would prevail. (2Ch.11:14b)
Algeria: Christians face court
09 Oct 2010
As in many Muslim democracies, hard-line Islamic fundamentalists in Algeria have secured the balance of power and are skilful politicians armed with Korans to achieve political gain and influence policies. Decades of Islamic terror have left many Algerians traumatised and disillusioned, and now Christianity is growing especially in the Kabylie region. This is attracting the attention of the Islamists. While persecution of Christians has escalated the Church is not alone for many Kabylie citizens and rights groups are equally concerned about advancing Islamisation, declining liberty, escalating intolerance and state repression. A new struggle for Algeria is heating up. In the Kabylie region four Protestant leaders will face court on the 10th October for 'practising non-Muslim worship without authorisation'. The fellowship is affiliated with the Protestant Church of Algeria a nationally accredited denomination with 30,000 believers, mainly in Kabylie. The Pastor who owns the property where the Church meets will also be tried for 'hosting a foreigner' (a French pastor). Pray: for the court's courage to uphold justice despite Government and Islamist pressure. (Mt.12:18)
Four Christian men of a small Protestant church in Algeria are appealing against a court decision to hand them suspended prison sentences for worshiping without a state permission. News of the appeal comes after a court on December 12 reduced the sentences of Abdenour Raid, Nacer Mokrani and Idir Haoudj - to two months. The fourth man, Reverend Mahmoud Yahou, was sentenced to three months in jail and a 1,000-dinar fine (US$ 132). The prosecutor had asked for one-year prison sentences for each defendant. Defence lawyer Mohamed Benbelkacem said the men were found guilty of ‘clandestinely housing a pastor’ who was to hold a conference in their village of Ait Atteli. The Christians said they want to appeal against the sentence to avoid a government crackdown on other churches. The verdict was the latest in a series of cases targeting converted Christians in the country. Pray: that the authorities would reconsider and scrap these unjust sentences. (Is.10:1) More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/14856-algerian-christians-appeal-against-prison-sentence
On May 25th a fine equivalent to US$2,760 and a five-year prison term was handed down to Christian convert Siaghi Krimo for ‘insulting’ Muhammad despite lack of evidence. The judge stunned the Christian community by sentencing him beyond the prosecution recommendation of a two-year prison sentence and a fine of US$690 equivalent. Krimo was tried for giving a CD to a neighbour, who then accused him of attempting to convert him to Christianity. His lawyer plans to appeal. Krimo is not required to serve his prison sentence until the court hears his appeal and upholds the conviction. The court delivered its verdict the same week that the governor of the province of Bejaia ordered the closing of seven Protestant churches. Asked if he thought the court had instructions from higher officials to hand down such heavy punishment to him, Krimo responded with no hesitation: ‘It’s certain!’ Pray: for God to reduce all opposition to the Christian message taking root and spreading in Algeria. (Mt.24:14) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/13314/article_113189.html
Africa: Peacemaking highlighted by Day of Prayer
21 Sep 2010
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is inviting Christians to observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace with prayers and liturgies that give special attention to peacemaking projects in Africa. This year’s Day of Prayer for Peace, set for 21 September 2010, features African churches working to build cooperation and reconciliation within and between diverse communities. African church leaders and the WCC General Secretary will observe the day with prayer and worship in Nairobi. The peace prayer day, on the same date as the United Nations’ International Day of Peace (http://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/2010/) is an initiative of the WCC Decade to Overcome Violence. It focuses on Africa this year as part of the final year of the decade. One of the African projects featured is a ‘Peace Village’ project in Uganda which supports the process of healing in communities marked by conflict, trauma and pain. Pray: that our prayers will be heard and God would bring peace where there is discord. (Ps.65:2)
Roughly one in four Christians in sub-Sahara Africa believes sacrifices to spirits or ancestors can protect them from bad things happening, according to a recent 19-country survey on religious attitudes in Africa. Sizable percentages of both Christians and Muslims - a quarter or more in many countries - say they believe in the protective power of juju (charms or amulets). In Tanzania and South Africa more than half the people surveyed said they believed that sacrifices to ancestors or spirits could protect them from harm. Many people also say they consult traditional religious healers when someone in their household is sick, and sizable minorities in several countries keep sacred objects such as animal skins and skulls in their homes and participate in ceremonies to honour their ancestors.
Pray: for the Holy Spirit to invade the mindset of all who are deceived and for all who call on the name of Jesus Christ to be correctly birthed into God’s family. (Ps.96:5 & Jn.3:3)
Africa: Clergy told re-evangelise church
28 Aug 2010
In an address to 400 Anglican bishops in Entebbe, Uganda Henry Orombi the Archbishop of Uganda said it was time for Africans to ‘rise up and bring fresh life in the ailing global Anglicanism’. He called African bishops to shake off their fears, shame and superficial dependency and re-evangelise the ailing churches of the west. On the same day as his address to the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa the US Episcopalians published a liturgical resource and guide for clergy and same-sex couples. Orombi told those attending the conference, including the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, that the African Church must go to Europe and the US to revive the ‘Mother Church desperate for the Gospel’. Press reports, ‘African church leaders will use the meeting to reiterate their concerns about homosexuality and criticise the Archbishop for failing to punish communities that welcome gays and lesbians into the pews and priesthood.’ Pray: for the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to be with God's people as they use His Word as their plumb line in all discussions (Rev.19:7) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/25/uganda-archbishop-orombi-ailing-anglican-church