Photo: Wikimedia / Mar Sharb (CC)
The House of Refuge, a ministry located in the community of L'Ayaida (or "El Ayaida"), Oran province, serves as a haven and restoration centre for vulnerable women and their families. The facility formerly included a worship hall, which was shut down by authorities in 2019. Since that time, Christians have continued to meet for worship in apartments located on the premises.
On September 4th, special police forces raided the site with a warrant. During the operation, 12 believers were arrested. In addition, their Christian literature, mobile phones and identity cards were seized. During detainment, these dedicated followers of Jesus were interrogated, some until late the following night. Although all of them were eventually released from custody, and have not yet appeared before a prosecutor, they may still face charges under laws governing non-Muslim worship. If convicted, the Christians could receive fines and prison sentences of up to five years.
In a separate development, a court recently dismissed the cases involving 10 other Algerian Christians, each of whom had faced the possibility of significant jail time. Instead, they were individually required to pay fines of approximately $1,000 CAD. In response to the dismissal, a Christian ministry worker stated, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Lord, our God, for answering our prayers and being favourable to the prayers of all His saints."
Over recent years, Christians in Algeria have been subjected to consistent restrictions and pressure from governing authorities. Nearly all places of worship affiliated with the Protestant Church of Algeria have been ordered to close. To review previously published reports addressing the various challenges encountered by believers in this restricted North African nation, go to our country profile.
- Praise God for the encouraging outcome in the cases of the 10 believers whose charges were dismissed, thanking Him for His faithfulness in answering the prayerful petitions of His people.
- May the recently arrested Christians likewise be acquitted from any formal charges and, while awaiting further developments, may they be filled with God's peace, wisdom and assurance of the Holy Spirit's advocacy on their behalf.
- Continue to remember other believers throughout Algeria who are presently facing legal challenges, restrictions or imprisonment because of their faith in Christ, asking the Lord to continually strengthen, encourage and sustain each one of them.
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