19Algeria

The sharp increase of government pressure against the Algerian Protestant church continued into 2024. In 2023, almost all Algeria’s Protestant churches had been ordered to close. In 2024, all remaining churches have been closed or forced to stop regular services, driving Protestants into isolation.

The country has laws that regulate non-Muslim worship, including legal restrictions prohibiting anything that would “shake the faith of a Muslim” or be used as a “means of seduction intending to convert a Muslim to another religion”.

Other major drivers of religious freedom violations in Algeria are family and community members and radical Islamic teachers, along with state officials who adopt the views of those teachers. Algerian Christians, most of whom are converts from Islam, risk opposition from family members and extended family. The pressure and danger Christians face is particularly high in Arab, rural and religiously conservative parts of the country.

Meet Naasima

“We believe that God is good all the time. He has never forsaken us, and our suffering is very precious to Him. We believe that He will make a way when there seems to be no way.”

Naasima (name changed), a believer in North Africa.

What does Open Doors do to help?

Open Doors works with local partners and churches in North Africa to provide leadership and discipleship training, livelihood support, legal aid, trauma counselling, Bibles and pastoral care.