Muslims Turn to Christ in Algeria
ICC Note
“We expect (2008) will be (a) tougher situation because now there are complaints from the religious leaders. Imams in Algeria …they complain against what is happening, the evangelization of the Algerians,”
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February 1, 2008 Algeria (CBNNews.com)-
The Algerian people are trying to move beyond a bloody 15-year Islamic insurgency that has claimed as many as 200,000 lives there. While the government continues its fight against al Qaeda and other Islamists, another battle is being waged- -this one for the hearts and souls of Algerians.
Muslims are coming to Christ there as never before–mostly in mountain villages among berber ethnic groups.
Youssef Ourahmane is an Algerian pastor.
“The church is still growing fast, I have no doubt about it. The TV has a tremendous impact on the lives of the people there–especially Arabic language stations where for the first time many Algerians of course watch and see and hear Muslim converts who are preaching, who are teaching and telling them stories and also getting some facts about Islam and their faith in the Koran,” he said.
The Algerian church has grown to about 70,000 adherents. Seventy percent of the Chirstians are under the age of thirty. Hundreds stand in line for more than an hour just to attend services in one church building.
But Ashraf has paid a high price for sharing Christ in Morocco . He was arrested and sent to a mental hospital where he was injected with mind altering narcotics.
Before he accepted Christ, Ashraf was arrested for associating with believers. He says national security police tortured him with electricity to get him to provide information about his Christian friends.
“We expect (2008) will be (a) tougher situation because now there are complaints from the religious leaders. Imams in Algeria …they complain against what is happening, the evangelization of the Algerians,” explained Paster Youssef.
