Religion in Algeria

Religion in Algeria is very important, with almost everyone following Islam. This religion shapes daily life, culture, and values for most people in the country. Islam arrived in the 7th century and became the main belief for the Algerian people, especially the Sunni branch, with only a small Ibadi group.

Islam in Algeria also includes special traditions like marabouts, holy men believed to have divine grace, and turuq, or brotherhoods, which guide people on their spiritual paths. These traditions have deep roots, especially in rural areas.

After Algeria gained independence, the government made Islam the official religion and controlled many religious activities. This helped build a national identity but also led to debates, especially in the 1980s and 1990s, about how much Islam should influence laws and society. These discussions affected many aspects of life, including education and women's rights.

Christianity, Unaffiliated, and other small groups also exist but make up a very tiny part of the population.

Islam, Berbers, Middle Ages, University of Algiers, veil, society, cultural identity, ethical, maraboutism, traditional Berber religion, barakah, miracles, turuq, salvation, shaykhs, ulema, proselytize, constitution, mosques, Imams, khutba, Islamic Salvation Front, Houari Boumédiène, Chadli Bendjedid, Arabization

Religious minorities

Christianity

Main articles: Christianity in Algeria, Catholic Church in Algeria, and Protestantism in Algeria

Christianity arrived in North Africa during Roman times. Its influence grew during the Byzantine period but slowly faded after Arab invasions in the seventh century.

The Roman Catholic Church returned after French rule began, with the Diocese of Algiers created in 1838. Early efforts focused on helping people through schools, workshops, and hospitals. By the early 1980s, there were about 45,000 Catholics, mostly foreigners or Algerians married to French or Italians. There was also a Protestant community. Because the government does not ask about religion in surveys, the exact number of Christians in the early 1990s was unknown. Christians mainly live in cities like Algiers, Béjaïa, Tizi Ouzou, Annaba, and Oran, and the Kabylia region.

Baháʼí and Judaism

Main articles: Baháʼí Faith in Algeria and History of the Jews in Algeria

The Baháʼí Faith began in Algeria in 1952. Though it grew until 1967, it was banned in 1968. By 2010, there were about 3,300 Baháʼís in the country.

The Jewish community in Algeria goes back thousands of years. Most left after Algeria gained independence in 1962, but a small group remained, stabilizing around 1,000 people.

Religiosity

A survey from 2019 showed that more young people in Algeria were saying they were not religious, but by 2021, fewer young people felt this way. Most people in Algeria still say they are Muslim, with only a small number saying they have no religion or follow another faith.

In 2022, a group called Freedom House gave Algeria a low score for allowing people to practice their religion freely. Later in 2023, Algeria was listed as one of the more difficult places in the world for people who follow Christianity.