Locked but Not Silenced: Algerian Pastor Calls for Church Reopening after ‘Illegal Worship’ Conviction

WASHINGTON, D.C.— In a stirring plea for justice, Algerian Pastor Youssef Ourahmane, a man convicted of “illegal worship,” took center stage at a religious freedom event in Washington, D.C., urging the global community to support the reopening of churches in his home country. His powerful message came from a place of deep conviction and relentless faith, as the pastor—who has preached for over 30 years—continues to fight for the rights of Algeria’s persecuted Christian minority.

Pastor Youssef’s journey is one of both faith and resistance. In July 2023, he was sentenced to two years in prison and fined 100,000 dinars for conducting “illegal worship.” Despite no evidence of wrongdoing, his appeal was rejected in May 2024, solidifying his conviction. His crime? Simply leading worship in a nation where Christian gatherings are systematically shut down.

Algeria, a North African nation ranked 79th on the Open Doors persecution watchlist, is home to around 144,000 Christians—mostly converts from Islam—who face daily harassment and discrimination. The Algerian government, with its Islamic majority, has aggressively targeted Christian communities, including the Église Protestante d’Algérie (EPA), a protestant group that Pastor Youssef has helped lead. Since 2019, authorities have closed 43 churches, leaving just one open across the entire country. The closures are often justified under false claims of building code violations, but the real motive is clear: a targeted attempt to suppress the spread of Christianity.

Pastor Youssef’s personal history mirrors the struggle of many Algerian Christians. Born into Islam, he courageously converted to Christianity and became a vocal leader within the EPA, only to witness his churches being padlocked, one by one. The crackdown has taken a physical and emotional toll on the community, with reports of church leaders being beaten, even in front of their children, for peacefully protesting the closures.

Addressing the gathering in Washington, Pastor Youssef’s voice was unwavering, calling attention to the plight of Algerian Christians. “By 2019, most of the Evangelical churches in our country had been shut down. When the churches were closed, a lot of the Christians felt that something was gone in their Christian faith because the building had been part of their identity,” he shared, shedding light on the profound sense of loss within the community.

But despite the intense persecution he has faced, Pastor Youssef’s faith remains unshaken. When asked how he continues to trust God amidst such suffering, his response was one of inspiring humility: “God knows the number of my hairs on my head, and none fall without His will. We have to accept God’s will, and God’s sovereignty… I try my best, by His grace, to be a good testimony to others.”

Now seeking refuge in the United States, Pastor Youssef has become an outspoken advocate for religious freedom in Algeria. Supported by the Alliance for Defending Freedom (ADF), his mission is clear: to see the day when the padlocks are removed and churches are free to open their doors once more. But he cannot do it alone. His message to the global community is a call to action: “Our churches are not just buildings; they are the hearts and souls of believers who have been forced into hiding. It is time to reopen them and let the light of faith shine again in Algeria.”

As he continues to share his story with the world, Pastor Youssef’s unwavering commitment to his faith in the face of persecution is a powerful reminder that even when the doors are locked, the spirit of worship cannot be silenced. The world is watching, and the cries of Algeria’s persecuted Christians must be heard.