Religion
in
Algeria
By
Roberto Pinto
Miracle Onyeoziri
Jennifer Edwards
&
Anna Coutts
Religious Demographics
•
99% Sunni Muslim, 1% Shi’ite
•
Small Jewish population
•
Small Christian population,
mainly Roman Catholic
•
Still some indigenous Berber
religion involving magical
practices and ceremonies
General Information on Islamic Religion
•
Islam in official national religion
•
Islam plays large role in Algerian life
•
Three ways of following Islam
• Islamist view: part of every aspect of life, both
private and public
• Secular view: faith seen as guideline, but not strict
• Traditional view: practiced by the elderly and rural
communities
www.Nocompulsion.com
www.themuslimtimes.org
The Shi’ite Population in Algeria
•
20-30% of all Muslims are Shi’ite (Twelvers, Ismailis, and Zaidis)
•
Both the Shi’ite and Sunni sects share many of the same fundamental
beliefs and practices like the overall Islamic Religion
•
***The word Shia comes from the Arabic word “Sh’a” which means “ a
following/ or sect” and also comes from the word “Shi’atu Ali” which
means “a follower of Ali”
•
The Shia split from the Sunni after the first Islamic Civil War in 650-661
•
***The Shia population argued for a line of succession based on
bloodlines after Muhammad’s death in 632
•
***In Algeria, about 1% of the countries average population are Shia
•
The Shia population of Algeria moved to/ lived in the western part of the
country called the Shia Idrisis state when Idris II died in 828
The Sunni
•
80% percent of Muslim population
•
Sunnism = ahl al-Sunna (people of the custom of
the Prophet)
•
•
Muhammad did not name a successor
•
Muslim Community must select the
Prophet’s successor (caliph) to lead
Law enforcers = place emphasis on power of god,
his determination of human fate, and they are
inclusive
[6]
And...
• Hadith literature = short narrative reports detailing what a prophet said, did,
and approved during prophetic career and life
• Sahaba = Muhammad’s
Companions = group of people
who share closeness and
familiarity with Prophet
• Rely on consensus, Ijma,
of religions and religious
scholars
[6]
Islam being the
prevailing religion at
this time did not mean
that Christians weren’t
found in the nearest
bush or just around the
corner.
media.salon.com/2013/09/stained_glass.jpg
General Information of Catholicism Religion
•
Population of Catholic believers used to be large
•
Arab-Israeli War = increase in Islamic presence in country
•
Islamic influence spread = terrorism
•
To end altercation with terrorists, Algeria agreed to restrict
citizens of freedom of religion
•
•
https://tableprepared.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/cath
olic=clipart.jpg
Islam became predominant religion
Practice of Catholicism can receive jail sentences up to 3
years
•
Many Catholics live in secrecy
https://drmaryann.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/p
osts-tagged-islam.jpg
Works Cited
[1] "Algeria." Everything Culture. Web. 23 Sept. 2015. <http://www.everyculture.com/A-Bo/Algeria.html>.
[2] "Gain Insight into Algeria's Religions." Religion in Algeria. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.
[3] N.d. Nocompulsion.com. Web. 24 Sept. 2015. <http://nocompulsion.com/from-algeria-a-dire-warning-to-the-west-about-islamization/>.
[4] N.d. Themuslimtimes.org. Web. 24 Sept. 2015. <http://www.themuslimtimes.org/2013/01/islam-in-the-press/i-just-fell-in-love-with-islam-thesun>.
[5] "The Catholic Church and the Arab World: An Algerian View on a Troubled Relationship." Aspenia Online. Aspen Institute Italia. Web. 24 Sept.
2015.
[6] Khalek, Nancy. "Beginnings." Religion Library: Sunni Islam. Web. 25 Sept. 2015.
[7] "What Is the Difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims?" The Economist. The Economist Newspaper, 28 May 2013. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.
<http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2013/05/economist-explains-19>
[8]"Shia and Sunni Muslims." About Religion. Huda. Web. 30 Sept. 2015. <http://islam.about.com/cs/divisions/f/shia_sunni.htm>