Shiite Communities in Iraq and Iran “Flustered” by Algerian Uprising Against Spread of Shiism!

There has been a wave of discontent in both Iraqi and Iranian popular circles against the declaration of the Iraqi embassy in Algiers, granting facilities for Algerians for visits to religious shrines in Iraq, and the subsequent rush of this Embassy to delete such a statement posted on its website, and this development angered the Shiite communities in Iraq and Iran, describing such a move as aimed at “tightening the grip on the Shia followers in Algeria”.

This sparked off a scathing television campaign relayed by the Iraqi state news agency under the title “the violation of the rights of Shiites of Algeria … as part of a campaign waged with the support of Algerian political figures and parties”, as it claimed.

The TV report argued that “the Iraqi Embassy in Algeria was subjected to a sharp attack by Algerian activists and politicians following the Iraqi Embassy’s enticing facilitations granted to Algerian travelers offering them to visit religious sites sheltering Shia shrines in Iraq.

The move was seen as a ploy designed to tempt Algerians to opt for Shiism which is said to be covertly spreading by small numbers in some parts of Algeria despite the fact that the enormous majority of Algerians are Sunni Muslims deeply rooted on the Maliki rite.

The Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments, Mohamed Aissa, for his part declined to comment on the recent enticing religious tourism offers from the Iraqi embassy to the Algerians.

This unprecedented divisive statement by the Iraqi Embassy in Algiers tacitly confirms the existence of a Shiite community in Algeria and accredit by the same, the alerts issued for several months in Algeria warning against a proselytizing campaign in a country (Algeria) with a Muslim Sunni majority deeply rooted on the Maliki rite.

Recently, Dr. Mohamed Aissa announced coercive measures against the spread of this nefarious phenomenon which, according to reports, continues to grow in some remote areas of the country, with the appearance of small communities evolving in secret sects and practicing esoteric cults which could be recovered by shadowy international networks.

The Minister also announced that his services in coordination with the Department of Justice is preparing a draft law criminalizing religious fanaticism and the preaching of other religions to preserve the Arab-Muslim identity of Algeria, as clearly enshrined in the Constitution.