Religious Affairs Ministry Affirms Non-Muslim Worship Freedom in Algeria
Algeria's Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments has explicitly affirmed the nation's steadfast commitment to ensuring the freedom of worship for non-Muslims, operating within legal frameworks. The Ministry underscored the state's dedication to safeguarding places of worship from any political or ideological influence. This reaffirmation emerged from a meeting of the National Committee for Non-Muslim Religious Rites, held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the Ministry's headquarters under the supervision of Minister Youssef Belmehdi.
During the meeting, the Committee highlighted that the Algerian Constitution formally enshrines the freedom of worship. It further clarified that existing legislative and regulatory texts are consistent with the principles and objectives outlined in international conventions and treaties, notably the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Ministry reiterated Algeria's commitment to upholding the principle of freedom of belief through the establishment of necessary mechanisms to regulate religious practices, and stressed its ongoing commitment to addressing concerns raised by non-Muslim religious associations.
The Committee also issued a caution against relying on unverified information circulated across digital platforms concerning the reality of worship practices within Algeria. Concluding its statement, the Committee invoked Algeria's historical legacy of tolerance and respect, citing the historical visit of Pope Leo XIV as testament to the importance of human dialogue and fostering a culture of peaceful coexistence.
