Pray for ALGERIA

Christianity in Algeria is a small but historically significant minority faith in a country where approximately 99% of the population is Sunni Muslim. While the community has roots dating back to the Roman era, modern Christians—particularly converts and Protestants—currently face a severe government crackdown and significant social pressure.

Current Status & Demographics

Population Estimates: Most sources estimate the Christian population at less than 1% of the total population. Figures vary widely from 70,000 to over 200,000, with many believers meeting in secret.
Main Groups:
- Protestant Church of Algeria (EPA): A federation of Reformed and Methodist groups that is one of the only officially recognized Christian organizations.
- Roman Catholic Church: Serves primarily expatriates and sub-Saharan African students, with a visible presence in major cities.
- Berber Christians: The majority of indigenous Algerian Christians are from the Kabylie region, where some villages have seen significant conversion movements.

Legal & Social Challenges

Church Closures: Since 2017, the Algerian government has intensified a campaign to close Protestant churches, citing Ordinance 06-03, which requires non-Muslim worship to take place only in buildings specifically designated for that purpose. As of late 2024, nearly all 47 EPA-affiliated churches have been ordered to close or cease activities.
Anti-Proselytism Laws: While the constitution technically guarantees freedom of worship, “shaking the faith” of a Muslim or attempting to convert them is a criminal offense punishable by up to five years in prison.
Social Persecution: Converts from Islam often face “corrective” punishments from families, including disownment, forced marriage, or physical violence.

Historical Significance

Early Church: North Africa was a central hub of early Christianity. Algeria was the home of Saint Augustine of Hippo (born in Thagaste, modern-day Souk Ahras), one of the most influential figures in Western Christianity.
Martyrs of Tibhirine: During the “Black Decade” civil war in the 1990s, 19 Catholic clergy members were killed by extremists, including seven Trappist monks whose story was famously depicted in the film Of Gods and Men.