USCIRF Conversation: Deteriorating Religious Freedom Conditions in Algeria

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

USCIRF Conversation: Deteriorating Religious Freedom Conditions in Algeria

Tuesday, August 31, 2021
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
Virtual Event

Please join the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for a virtual event about deteriorating religious freedom conditions in Algeria. 

This event will highlight recent blasphemy convictions and other court decisions that have negatively impacted religious freedom and resulted in increased repression of religious minorities in Algeria. A 2020 USCIRF report found that Algerian authorities brought blasphemy charges against converts and allegedly committed acts of violence against accused blasphemers. Algerian authorities have also forcibly closed Protestant churches in recent years and prosecuted Protestants and Ahmadiyya Muslims for “offending the prophet Muhammad” and “degrading the principles of Islam.” This discussion will also explore U.S. policy options and underscore USCIRF’s 2021 Annual Report recommendation to the U.S. Department of State to include Algeria in its Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe religious freedom violations.

USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza and Commissioner Frederick A. Davie will be joined by guest panelists Daniel Hoffman of Middle East Concern and Asif Arif of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. USCIRF Director of Outreach and Policy Dwight Bashir will moderate the conversation followed by questions and answers from attendees. 

Panelists

• Nadine Maenza, Chair, USCIRF
• Frederick A. Davie, Commissioner, USCIRF
• Daniel Hoffman, Executive Director, Middle East Concern
• Asif Arif, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA

Moderator

• Dwight Bashir, Director of Outreach and Policy, USCIRF