Algeria will prevent coordination with Salafists in Tunisia, says minister

The government works on preventing Salafist trend in Algeria from contacting similar movements abroad including Tunisia, Algerian religious affairs minister Ghoulamallah Bouabdellah said on Monday.

“Algeria is on the alert to any emergency following events in Tunisia,” Bouabdellah told Echorouk.

Asked about ban on loans interest in favor of unemployed young people, he said this step would reinforce opportunities to set up productive and service projects.

He added that Wakf properties value is very considerable and exceeds solidarity ministry’s budget. “It is estimated at 300 billion DZ.”

Zakat and Wakf director at the ministry, Abdelouahab bertima told Echorouk Zakat Fund has reached 472 billion centimes since it was created in 2003.

He added that the ministry considers establishing an insurance firm and plans to fund 32 projects in 24 provinces along with 5 wakf complexes and a national protection fund for children.