Christians On Trial

This story from Le Figaro, about an event in Algeria, is making the rounds of many French websites:

The criminal court of Tiaret was the scene of a surreal trial on Tuesday. Habiba Kouider, a Christian woman, 37 years old, a teacher in a day-care center, was before the judge for having religious books in her possession, a crime that has been punishable by a prison term since the adoption, in February 2006, of the law governing "non-Muslim religions". On March 29, 2008, in a bus bringing her back from Oran where she attends Bible school, to her residence in Tiaret, she was arrested by the gendarmes. In her handbag they found the evidence: Bibles and Gospels. She was arrested and taken to the police station, where several officers took turns subjecting the "miscreant" to a humiliating interrogation. The next day the prosecutor proposed a curious trade: "If you return to Islam, I will throw the case out; if you persist in your sin, you will suffer the wrath of justice!" Reserved, almost timid, Habiba Kouider was afraid, but refused to renounce her faith.

On Tuesday she responded with dignity to the ironic questions of the judge. "What is your religion?" "I am Christian. I converted in 2004 at the church of Oran" she answered almost inaudibly. With a disdainful smile, the judge said: "The priests made you drink their holy water that leads to Paradise." She did not respond.

When he noticed the presence of reporters in the room, the judge called out: "Do you have an authorization to take notes?" Defense attorney Khelloudja Khalfoun spoke up: "This is a public trial, journalists have the right to be there." (...) The judge lost his temper and threatened to "take measures", before confiscating the journalists' notes!

Under the eye of the press, the judges contained their arrogance. Without conviction the prosecutor repeated that "Islam is the State religion" and asked for a sentence of 3 years without parole, to which Attorney Khalfoun pleaded for the "freedom of conscience guaranteed by the Constitution" and asked that her client be acquitted. In a nutshell, two antagonistic visions within Algerian society confront one another. The verdict will be rendered on May 27. The same day, before the same court, six more Christians appeared for "distributing tracts that aim to break the faith of the Muslims."

Since January 2008, trials for the "crime of Christianity" have multiplied in Western Algeria, notably Oran, Mascara and Bel-Abbès. Since they are in opposition to the dictatorship of the one party, the newly converted are forced to worship secretly. Keeping a straight face, the Algerian minister of religious affairs reassures: "The Christian community enjoys all rights; but we are fighting against sects!"

I probably would not have posted this article, except that yesterday I received this message in the comment section of an older post:

this is very important

i am writing this comment to ask for help.
there are many people in algeria who are judged because of their choice " christianism" and no one is there to help them or to protect their Fundamental rights.

they are fired from their places of work. the lawyers do not agree to take their files and defend their rights because they pretend being muslims.
please if there is an international institution or association who can save these christians and thier families, i would be greatful if you send me their adress to my email:

amazigh1-80@hotmail.com

I don't know exactly how to help this person. But there are some organizations dedicated to helping Christians in danger in various parts of the world.

The Collectif Algerie is one.

Also this web page from the Journal Chretien has information and links that may be useful:

If you know of any other specific organizations please send them to this person.

Recent statistics show that out of 33 million inhabitants in Algeria, only 11,500 are Christians, 10,000 of those are Protestant, 1500 are Catholic.