Algeria: Hundreds of Christians and foreign priests meet in Tizi Ouzou

Representatives of Protestant associations in Tizi Ouzou province (100 km east of Algiers) held an ordinary meeting in a village although authorities had issued an instruction to prohibit any non-Muslim's activities without an official permit, according to well-informed sources.Hundreds of Christians from different villages as well as eight foreign priests attended the meeting, said the same sources.

They arrived to Algeria last week to show solidarity for two churches which were closed by public authorities as they were illegally working.

The foreign priests who were prevented from entering Tizi Ouzou and forced by security forces to return to Algiers could enter Ouagunoun area (Tizi Ouzou) on Wednesday morning to attend the meeting.

The meeting focused on finding ways to oblige the authorities to give up their decision to close churches.

Some of the participants suggested to “take the streets if Christian minority are still be disturbed,” Echorouk has learnt.

 Two weeks ago, Protestant associations in Tizi Ouzou were ordered by security forces to immediately stop their activities by virtue of Ordinance N° 03 / 06 for non-Muslims’ rites practice. Earlier, the president of Protestant Church in Algeria, M. Mustapha Karim told Echorouk that Protestant associations in Tizi Ouzou legally work.He expressed his intention to not obey the police.