People groups of Algeria
Algeria has a population of 30 million (2000). Approximately 0.001% is Christian.
The second largest country in Africa, Algeria encompasses almost one third of the land area of North Africa.
Algeria is a country with a mixture of the traditional and the modern: young people wearing the fashions of Europe, others the traditional cover-up haik dress or traditional jellaba coats. Much of life revolves around the family.
In recent years there have been many sources of tension within the country, especially since the war of independence against France (1956-62, after 130 years of French colonial rule), which claimed many thousands of lives. For a number of years following the war, Algeria was under military rule influenced by communist thinking. In the 1990s this changed, with the introduction of a supposedly more democratic election process. Militant Islamic groups gained political influence through promising change - particularly appealing with a serious housing shortage and high unemployment affecting many families. The past decade also saw unrest through bombings and massacres carried out by what are claimed to be militant Islamic groups fighting against government-backed military troops.
Many Algerians are not strict practicing Muslims, but if asked, most will give allegiance to Islam.
Please pray ...
- that the government will make decisions about Christians that will be beneficial to the Kingdom of God.
- for those awaiting trials and those awaiting appeals to the charges against them.