Algeria

Christians approaching a Protestant worship service near Freha, Algeria last week were told to return home by an armed mob of disgruntled neighbors. The mob had assembled outside the service and demanded the church’s immediate closure. The congregation, which meets in an unregistered house-church, is the latest group of Christians to be threatened and harassed because of their inability to quickly obtain legal status.

Alone among its neighbors in North Africa, Algeria has largely been untouched by the uprisings which last year ousted leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. Like the recent elections in other Arab states following the uprisings, however, Algeria’s parliamentary elections, which kick off today, could give greater power to Islamists.

In a positive turn of events, the long awaited trial of Algerian Christian Siagh Krimo was postponed last Thursday after a large gathering of Muslim and Christian supporters rallied for his acquittal. In the unusual show of public solidarity, the demonstrators’ message rang loud and clear – to unjustly condemn one Algerian is to violate the rights of all Algerians.

For the first time in twenty years, the Protestant Church of Algeria (EPA) was given government permission to officially register their congregations throughout the country.

“[The churches in Béjaia] continued to meet and celebrate their religion despite the threats. If the authorities decide to close places of worship, Christians will gather in homes or cell group meeting in the open air, which is already being done in some communities. But, we believe the situation will improve.”