WASHINGTON — An Algerian pastor seeking acquittal for his “illegal worship” conviction is calling for evangelical churches to be reopened in that country.
Youssef Ourahmane received a two-year sentence and a fine in July 2023 for his leadership of Emmanuel Church in Algeria, reports Alliance Defending Freedom International.
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That November his sentence was lowered to one year, but his conviction was upheld in May.
Youssef, who converted from Islam to Christianity, has led Christian churches in Algeria for more than 30 years. He is a leader in the Eglise Protestante d’Algerie denomination.
Closed for ‘health and safety’
Youssef said the government closed the denomination’s 43 churches, allegedly for “health and safety” violations.
“By 2019 most of the evangelical churches in our country had been shut down,” Youssef said at an ADF International event in October in Washington.
Algeria is 99% Sunni Muslim. ADF International says Algerian courts have convicted about 50 Christians in the last few years “under the vague offenses of ‘shaking the faith’ of Muslims, illegal worship or embezzling of tithing donations.” ADF International is aiding in Youssef’s case.
Algeria is No. 15 on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.
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