A church in Algeria.
Photo: Flickr / Maya-Anais Yataghene
A church in the Kabylie area of northern Algeria is being threatened with closure. Officials have given a warning that they will start legal action against its pastor if he continues to hold services. The church, which is linked to the state-approved Protestant Church of Algeria, was issued a letter recently demanding that all religious activities cease because it was in breach of a 2006 decree regulating the use of buildings as places of worship.
Congregations in Algeria are required to seek a permit to use a building for non-Muslim worship but the authorities rarely respond to applications. In 2011, a church in Bejaia, also located within the area of Kabylie, faced the same threat after the local mayor ordered its closure. However, the mayor withdrew the order following protests by Christians and religious rights campaigners. Other reports, as well as an historical overview of the situation in Algeria, can be found at VOMC's country report.
Please pray that our Almighty God will ensure justice is meted out on behalf of His people in Kabylie, resulting in the withdrawal of the order for this church's closure. In fact, may the authorities and community members no longer listen to the false allegations of the enemy but rather recognize the benefits and goodwill that Christianity offers to their society as a whole. Ask God to abundantly bless this church and its pastor, bringing His peace into the situation and into people's lives.
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