Algiers – The Algerian government is actively developing a strategic approach to managing religious discourse on social media platforms, aiming to safeguard its national religious authority and mitigate potential negative influences.
Dr. Youssef Belmahdi, Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments, emphasized the importance of a national forum dedicated to this issue. The forum, held on December 15th and 16th, focused on the theme of “Words are a Responsibility, Influence is a Message,” highlighting the critical need for careful consideration in the digital age.
The Minister stated that the forum served as a pivotal scientific and evaluative milestone in addressing religious discourse within the digital sphere, recognizing it as a sensitive and highly impactful area given the rapid evolution of communication technologies. He stressed that these advancements place increased responsibility on imams, preachers, and content creators, not only in terms of the content itself but also in its repercussions on collective awareness and societal intellectual stability.
Dr. Belmahdi further elaborated that the chosen theme reflects a clear strategic vision adopted by the Algerian state in its approach to religious discourse online. This vision is based on a deep understanding of the weight of words and their direct impact on shaping and guiding public consciousness. He cautioned that while words can be a tool for construction and reform, they can also become a source of confusion and a threat to religious values and the unity of religious authority if not properly managed and framed.
The Minister warned against the serious consequences of uncontrolled religious discourse that operates outside of scientific standards and institutional frameworks. He emphasized the real dangers such discourse poses to the image of religion, its noble objectives, and the cohesion of the national religious authority. He asserted that the digital space can no longer accommodate individual interpretations isolated from the overall context of the state and society, nor can it tolerate improvised readings that create confusion instead of guidance.
Dr. Belmahdi concluded by affirming that religious discourse on social media has become a matter of strategic and sovereign importance, directly linked to intellectual security and social harmony, and therefore falls under the state’s responsibility to protect public awareness. This, he believes, necessitates strict adherence to the national religious authority and a conscious and aware approach to engagement.
