US religious freedom report: Washington defends proselytizing in Algeria

The US criticized Algeria for restricting religious freedom, saying state institutions are prohibited from engaging in behavior incompatible with Islamic morality. It also says Christian groups reported irregular delays in receiving responses to their requests for work visas for their personnel.

Washington maintained its negative remarks about Algeria, saying the family code treats women as minors under the legal guardianship of a husband or male relative, regardless of the woman’s age. The family code prohibits Muslim women from marrying non-Muslim men unless the man converts to Islam. Women need the consent of a male guardian to marry, but can choose whom to designate as their male guardian.

Among the other negative points, the US report about religious freedom 2014 says proselytizing is considered as a criminal offense and carries a maximum punishment of one million dinars ($11,400) and five years’ imprisonment for anyone who “incites, constrains, or utilizes means of seduction tending to convert a Muslim to another religion; or by using to this end establishments of teaching, education, health, social, culture, training…or any financial means.”

The report also says  the government strictly requires, regulates, and funds the study of Islam in public schools. Religious education focuses on Islam and is mandatory at the primary and secondary school levels.

It conveyed Christian leaders’ concern that requests by non-Muslims to opt-out of the Islamic-based courses would result in societal abuse or discrimination.

Concerning religious demography, the US said less than 1 percent of the population in Algeria include Christians, Jews. The number of Jews living in the country is around 200 while unofficial estimates of the number of Christians range from 20,000 to 100,000, according to the report.