In Chains: Christian Persecution - 2019, Issue 1

Authorities Shut
Down Church Again
Reprinted with permission: Middle East Concern
Christians in Algeria request prayer for a
congregation in the Kayblie region, which
faces ongoing pressure from the authorities.
After ofYicials sealed the church building in
October 2018, the congregation continued to
meet for worship in a tent erected in the
church yard. On 28 January 2019, the
National Gendarmerie informed the owner
of the tent that it must be dismantled.
The Church of Azagher, a village near Akbou,
about 180 km south-east of Algiers has
about 300 members and is more than Yive
years old. It is a member of l’Église
Protestante d'Algérie (EPA), the legally
recognised umbrella of Protestant churches
in Algeria.
Since November 2017 most EPA-afYiliated
churches have been visited by so-called
“building-safety committees.” These
committees have not only inspected
buildings’ suitability to host meetings, but
have also been asking about licenses
required under a 2006 ordinance regulating
non-Muslim worship. However, the
government has yet to issue any licence for a
church building under this ordinance.
Several churches have since received written
orders to cease all activities. A number were
closed by authorities because they did not
have a license.
The congregation in Azaghar was visited by a
“committee” in December 2017. In February
2018 the church received a letter citing noncompliance
with safety regulations (lack of
emergency exits and Yire extinguishers). The
church Yixed those issues. However, the letter
also mentioned violations of regulations
regarding foreign visitors and noted a
violation of the building’s designated
commercial usage (poultry production). It
was sealed by the authorities on 16 October
2018.
Algerian Christians urge us to pray that:
a. church and EPA leaders would know the
Lord's peace, wisdom and guidance in the
face of the growing pressure
b. the authorities will end their systematic
campaign to close churches and limit
Christians' freedom to worship
c. churches ordered to close would soon be
permitted to re-open, and that no further
action will be taken against those churches
still under investigation
d. the regulations governing non-Muslim
worship would be amended and justly
implemented, so that Christians will be able
to worship freely
e. those responsible for the closure orders
would know the conviction of the Holy Spirit
and the forgiveness and new life offered by
Jesus