On 26 May 2021, Middle East Concern (MEC) reported that a
historic church building in the coastal city of Mostaganem has been returned to the EPA, the umbrella organization for Protestant churches in Algeria. However, this does not mark any major reversal of the government"s negative stance towards Algeria"s small Christian minority.
World Watch Research analyst Michael Bosch comments: "The return of the church building came as something of a surprise. Despite a positive court verdict in May 2019, there was no real expectation that the authorities would actually return the building. Having a legal place to worship is something to be treasured in a country where worship in undesignated buildings is forbidden - especially since the licensing commission has not issued a single licence to a church since its creation in 2006. However, the returning of this building to the EPA is not to be seen as a major change in government policy towards Christians. Since 2017, 20 churches have been ordered to cease their activities; 16 of them still have their doors officially sealed. Also, while mosques have opened up again after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, Protestant churches have not received official permission to re-open."
Michael Bosch continues: "Recent developments clearly indicate that things are not improving for Christians in general. In March 2021, an Algerian Christian convicted of blasphemy received a 5 year prison sentence, the maximum penalty (
MEC, 23 March 2021). He allegedly shared a caricature of Mohammed on social media in 2018, but was only summoned to police investigation in January 2021. Two other Christians from a Muslim background also recently received sentences of six months and three years respectively, for alleged blasphemy.‚ In addition, a pastor and his bookshop assistant were convicted on 27 February for "˜proselytizing" and are currently awaiting their appeal (
MEC, 31 May 2021). The bookshop-raid took place in 2017 and no charges were brought up until 2021. These examples all show that the authorities are looking for ways to keep the Church under continued pressure at the present time."
Michael Bosch adds: "A recent statement by the president of the High Islamic Council and a former minister of Religious Affairs fits this pattern of continued pressure on Christians: He claimed on social media that "˜an Algerian can only be Muslim" and also stated that "˜the seeds sown by France need to be eradicated" (
Le Monde, 6 May 2021). The COVID-19 crisis has already isolated many Algerian Christians and such statements seem to show that government circles are determined to isolate them even further."
