Algeria outlaws evangelizing

Algiers, Africa – Algeria, where the official religion is Islam, is criminalizing attempts to convert Muslims to other faiths.

According to the law adopted on March 20 anyone who “incites, forces or uses seductive means to convert a Muslim to another religion" would be punished with a prison term of 2 to 5 years or fines of up to $12,100.

The law is a response to the efforts by evangelical Christians to bring their faith to this North African nation. Christian missionaries have been known to be active in Algeria's Berber region east of the capital.

An official of the Ministry of Religious Affairs alleged that evangelists have enticed Muslims with offers of visas or financial help.

Such groups "profit from the confusion of youths to convert them," Mohamed Aissat said April 5 on Algerian radio. "Numerous youths have repented, returning to Islam."

There are about 5,000 declared Christians in Algeria, a French colony until 1962.