Algeria minister of religious affairs denies closure of churches

Algerian Minister of Religious Affairs Mohamed Issa yesterday denied claims his country had closed Christian churches in several provinces across the country.

Speaking at workship in the capitl Algiers, Issa said authorities had closed educational institutions, housing units and shops which had been converted to places of worship and not authorised churches.

“The law defines the conditions for the opening of a church,” the minister said.

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Several associations representing Christians in Algeria and other international organisations said in February that the Algerian authorities had closed churches in several provinces.

Denying this, Issa said: “Freedom to practice religious rites in Algeria is guaranteed by the Constitution and the law which is supported and protected by the state.”