Photo: World Watch Monitor
In 2016, Slimane Bouhafs was arrested and sentenced to five years in an Algerian prison for alleged blasphemy in a Facebook post. After various appeals, the sentence was eventually reduced for the accused Christian man, resulting in his release during April 2018 (read more).
After his release, Slimane experienced such ongoing persecution that he was forced to flee to Tunisia, where he has been granted refugee status until he is able to relocate to another country. His wife, who is a Muslim, remains in Algeria, along with their three adult children. He was able to have occasional contact with family members until the borders were closed due to the pandemic.
Even in Tunisia, however, Slimane is not safe from persecution and has continued to face harassment for his faith. When Slimane went to the police station to report an incident involving three men, the officers insulted and mistreated him after discovering that he was a Christian. As a result, Slimane left the station without filing a complaint. He states, "I am as threatened here as I was in my country." For more information on the persecution of Christians in Algeria, and to review previously published reports, go to our country report.
Pray for Slimane as he faces ongoing harassment and continues to wait for a safe place he can call home. May his steadfast endurance and faith be a testimony to those around him, as well as to his wife and children, ultimately leading many others to accept Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. Please prayerfully uphold all our brothers and sisters in Christ living in North Africa, asking that they would be strengthened and encouraged in their faith, and that they would experience joy in all circumstances.
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