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Arab Spring Is Now Targeting Algeria

Algeria’s Islamists, in the political wilderness since their last attempt to win power dissolved into civil war, are now trying again, galvanized by the success of their brethren elsewhere in north Africa in the wake of the Arab Spring.

Published

13 years ago

December 8, 2011

Geoffrey Grider

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(Reuters) – Algeria’s Islamists, in the political wilderness since their last attempt to win power dissolved into civil war, are now trying again, galvanized by the success of their brethren elsewhere in north Africa in the wake of the “Arab Spring”.

Riot policemen clash with university students from marching during a demonstration in which they demand political change in Algiers May 2, 2011. Credit: Reuters/Zohra Bensemra

Most Islamists in Algeria have been excluded from political life since the conflict, but in the past few months they have shown renewed signs of activity, much of it conducted from exile to dodge the attentions of the Algerian state.

They have set up a satellite television station based in Europe, sent delegations to Arab countries that saw revolutions this year, and made tentative forays into anti-government protests.

Their chances of success are slim: they are divided into rival ideological camps, hemmed in by the powerful Algerian security apparatus, and, most importantly, discredited in the eyes of many people by a conflict in which they took part and which killed an estimated 200,000 people.

But they see an opportunity in the upheavals of the “Arab Spring,” which have this year unseated entrenched secularist leaders. In neighboring Tunisia, a previously outlawed Islamist movement has come to power, while in Egypt Islamists have taken a strong early lead in multi-stage parliamentary elections.

“Tunisia was an example and launcher of this (Arab Spring) revolution,” said Abdullah Anas, a London-based member of the leadership council of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), which is banned in Algeria.

“It could be a very good example for Algeria.”

LEGACY OF VIOLENCE

Any Islamist revival in Algeria, an OPEC member and supplier of about a fifth of Europe’s imported gas, would have first to shed the burden of the country’s bloody history.

Twenty years ago, FIS was poised to win a legislative election, called after street protests forced the authorities to loosen their grip on power. FIS said it would impose an Islamic state.

The military-backed government stepped in to annul the election. The Islamists took up arms and Algeria slipped into a conflict of horrific violence. Civilians had their throats slit in the street; in the mornings, people woke up to find their towns littered with bodies.

A rump of Islamists, now operating under the banner of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, is still fighting. They periodically ambush security forces in the countryside, kidnap Westerners and stage suicide bombings.

But the violence has subsided considerably. A huge security crackdown has rounded up thousands of insurgents. Others have laid down their arms and been granted an amnesty, in exchange for an undertaking to stay out of politics.

This legacy is the biggest obstacle to any comeback by Algeria’s Islamists.

“Since then (the conflict), the Islamist was no longer seen as a hero who stands up against tyranny,” said Soheib Bencheikh, a theologian who used to be the chief cleric at the mosque in Marseilles, France, where there is a large Algerian community.

“On the contrary, he became, in the eyes of public opinion, accountable for the pain and suffering of the people,” Bencheikh told Reuters.

A fear of a return to violence helps explain why Algeria has this year remained relatively calm while neighboring countries have been convulsed by unrest.

TV STATION

But the Islamists still believe that Algeria is ripe for change, and are beginning to take practical steps.

Starting in November, a group of exiled Islamists with links to FIS set up a Europe-based television station, called Rachad TV. Carried by the Atlantic Bird 7 and Nilesat satellites , the station can be picked up in Algeria, where most homes have a dish.

It broadcasts political and social programs where opposition leaders and activists — most of them harshly critical of the government — are invited to comment on Algeria.

At the top of the station’s homepage on the Internet, there is a link to show viewers “how to free your country”, and a second link to help them “organize and participate in unrest.”

The exiles say they are also building contacts with other countries where “Arab Spring” revolts have propelled Islamists into a position of power.

Rachad says on its website that it sent a delegation to Libya in late September to meet officials in the new government, in which Islamists have a prominent role.

Abdullah Anas, the exiled Islamist in London, said there had also been contacts with Rachid Ghannouchi, the head of the moderate Islamist Ennahda party. Since an election in October his party leads Tunisia’s coalition government.

Tunisia’s experience had proved that it is possible to open up the political space in north Africa, said Anas.

“Everyone in Algeria must understand that Algeria has room for all … no matter what opinions you have,” he said, calling for a lifting of political curbs and the possibility of power-sharing between previously antagonistic groups.

SALAFISTS STIRRING

Inside Algeria, the most influential Islamist force are the Salafists, followers of an ultra-purist interpretation of Islam. Unlike the FIS, they are tolerated by the Algerian state because their creed forbids participation in politics.

When Algeria was shaken at the beginning of this year by protests sparked by a spike in food prices, the spiritual leader of the Algerian Salafists, Abdelmalek Ramdani, who lives in Saudi Arabia, issued a religious decree.

It said: “As long as the commander of the nation is a Muslim, you must obey and listen to him. Those who are against him are just seeking to replace him, and this is not licit.”

Nevertheless, there are stirrings of political activity by some Salafist preachers.

Sheikh Abdelfateh Zeraoui, a former FIS member and now a well-known Salafist preacher in the Algerian capital, issued a declaration in October saying the government had to enact urgent reforms.

“Political reforms allowing us to have free political activity are key to the stability of the country. Without reforms the country may explode,” the declaration stated.

The preacher has also tried to organize protest marches in the capital, but these have been blocked by the security forces. “We have been barred from politics,” he told Reuters.

The fact that Algerian Islamists are divided dilutes their ability to stage a comeback, said Mohamed Mouloudi, an editor and specialist on Islam.

“They are no longer speaking with one voice,” Mouloudi told Reuters.

“You have the Salafists, the Muslim brotherhood, and the Djaz’airists,(who give priority to Algerian religious traditions) among others,” he said. “You have those who are for a political action, and those who consider political action as illicit.”

SUCCESSION DEBATE

Even so, a debate is now under way in earnest within the Algerian ruling elite, for the first time since the conflict began 20 years ago, about giving Islamists a role in politics.

The focus for that debate — which, like much of Algerian politics, is conducted behind closed doors — is the question of who will succeed President Abdelaziz Bouteflika when his final term ends in 2014.

One camp within the elite is backing Abdelaziz Belkhadem, a former prime minister and secretary general of the ruling FLN party. He is a secularist but is trusted by the Islamists. Opposing him is a camp of hardline secularists who have backing from the powerful security forces.

Friction spilled out into the open when a group of Belkhadem opponents inside the FLN launched a campaign to have him removed from the party leadership.

“It will be wise to promote a man like Abdelaziz Belkhadem who has good ties with Islamists as well as with decision makers inside the regime,” said Mohamed Lagab, a secularist academic at Algiers university.

“Decision makers should take into account that North Africa will be ruled by Islamists ,” said Lagab. source – Reuters

Related Topics:Algeria arab Islamists spring

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Headline News

NTEB SUNDAY SERVICE: Too Many Birthdays

Published

2 days ago

April 27, 2025

Geoffrey Grider

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Is there such a thing as too many birthdays? There sure is if you waste the time the Lord has given to get something done for Him.

The wisest man that ever lived, King Solomon, has a lot to say about the true nature of life, and the inherent danger in having too many birthdays. The time to get something done for the Lord is when you have the time, opportunity and strength to do it. Preached live this morning at Bethany Baptist Church in Saint Augustine, Florida.

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;” Ecclesiastes 12:1 (KJB)

SUNDAY SERVICE STUDY NOTES: Too Many Birthdays

Too Many Birthdays

OT: 12 sons of Jacob, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 spies in Canaan, 12 stones in altar of Elijah, 12 minor prophets, 12 unleavened cakes in the Temple

NT: 12 apostles, 12 baskets of leftovers, Jesus is 12 years old teaching in the Temple, Jesus spoke of calling 12 legions of angels, 12 foundations and 12 gates in New Jerusalem, the 144,000 is 12 x 12,000, 24 elders in Revelation.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 (KJB)

“Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:5 (KJB)

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 (KJB)

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7 (KJB)

“For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.” Proverbs 5:21 (KJB)

“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:” Proverbs 6:6 (KJB)

“My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.” Proverbs 7:1 (KJB)

“Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.” Proverbs 8:34 (KJB)

“Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.” Proverbs 9:6 (KJB)

“The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.” Proverbs 10:28 (KJB)

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30 (KJB)

Now The End Begins is your front line defense against the rising tide of darkness in the last Days before the Rapture of the Church

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When you contribute to this fundraising effort, you are helping us to do what the Lord called us to do. The money you send in goes primarily to the overall daily operations of this site. When people ask for Bibles, we send them out at no charge. When people write in and say how much they would like gospel tracts but cannot afford them, we send them a box at no cost to them for either the tracts or the shipping, no matter where they are in the world. We have a Gospel Billboard program. We are now broadcasting Bible studies, Podcasts and a Sunday Service 5 times a week, thanks to your generous donations. All this is possible because YOU pray for us, YOU support us, and YOU give so we can continue growing.

But whatever you do, don’t do nothing. Time is short and we need your help right now. The Lord has given us an open door with a tremendous ‘course’ for us to fulfill that will create an excellent experience at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Please pray for our efforts, and if the Lord leads you to donate, be as generous as possible. The war is REAL, the battle HOT and the time is SHORT…TO THE FIGHT!!!

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:13 (KJB)

“Thank you very much!” – Geoffrey, editor-in-chief, NTEB

Free Bible Program

Infamous Mafia Hitman And Contract Killer Sammy ‘The Bull’ Gravano Believes The Gospel And Gets Saved, Born Again And Water Baptized

Published

3 days ago

April 26, 2025

Geoffrey Grider

SHARE NOW THE END BEGINS:

Sammy Gravano was in and out of prison long before Bibles Behind Bars was raised up, but every day we give King James Bibles to inmates just like he was

When I first watched the video of Sammy “The Bull” Gravano getting baptized, it brought tears to my eyes and the look on his face absolutely genuine and right in line with what you’d expect to see in a brand-new baby Christian who just got saved. Then I went back to listen to the entire story, and my heart sank a little as I heard Gravano talking about his testimony which, the longer I listened to it, the shakier it got. Then, at 13:02 minutes into the video, paydirt, Sammy said he needed forgiveness and redemption (that’s it!) for the deeds done in his life, and that he acknowledged that Jesus Christ (That’s it again!) was the only place to get it. Praise the Lord, Sammy The Bull got saved! This is one of the reasons why Bibles Behind Bars is so very important in these last days.

“And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.” Acts 22:4 (KJB)

Sammy Gravano was in and out of prison long before Bibles Behind Bars was raised up by the Lord, but hardened criminal inmates just like Gravano are behind bars right now, and if Sammy The Bull can get saved, they can too. To date, we have record of nearly 700 inmates who have gotten saved by believing the gospel and given a Bible from Bibles Behind Bars. 700! And many of them are men just as wicked and as vile as Gravano, just as wicked and vile as you and I were when we came to the Lord to get saved. Right now, the Carson City Correctional Center in Michigan is surrounded by double fences with razor-ribbon wire and two gun towers. Electronic detection systems and patrol vehicles are also utilized to maintain perimeter security. And guess what? Chaplain Lonny there has reached out and asked us for Bibles to give to as many of their 2,300 inmates as we are able to provide. The total for that many Bibles is $8,257.00 if you were wondering. Christian, if we’re not working to see people get saved, then why are we here?

Come help us to send King James Bibles, books and Christian literature to every jail and prison that asks us, and pray the Lord that many more like Sammy The Bull will get saved.

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If God has prospered you, please take a moment to click on the donate button to help us in this monumental task of providing King James Bibles, New Testaments, scripture portions, gospel tracts as well as Spanish Bibles to inmates in jails and prisons from Florida to Alaska, and every state in between. We need your prayers, we need your generous financial support, and we need you to stand with us in the closing days of the Church Age. Thank you so very much, TO THE FIGHT!!!

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Sammy ‘The Bull’ Gravano Believes The Gospel And Gets Saved

To watch this video in its full context, include the all-important part starting at minute 13:02, click here for the full version.

Now The End Begins is your front line defense against the rising tide of darkness in the last Days before the Rapture of the Church

HOW TO DONATE: Click here to view our WayGiver Funding page

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:13 (KJB)

“Thank you very much!” – Geoffrey, editor-in-chief, NTEB

Headline News

NTEB PROPHECY NEWS PODCAST: Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq Says He Is The Part-Muslim And Part-Jewish Leader That The Bible Calls The Antichrist

Published

4 days ago

April 25, 2025

Geoffrey Grider

SHARE NOW THE END BEGINS:

Today we introduce you to Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq, the man who says he is the biblical fulfillment of who the Bible says is the Antichrist

According to his web site bio, “Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq (From Him is Peace) is the long awaited Savior of Mankind, the promised Mahdi and Qaim prophesied to come from the narrations of Mohammed and the Family of Mohammed (From Them is Peace). He is the son of Imam Ahmed al-Hassan (From Him is Peace) and the grandson of Imam Mohammed ibn Al-Hassan Al-Askari, Al-Mahdi in the soul world.” If this were to be true, Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq would be the biblical Antichrist. That’s the memo.

“And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men.” Micah 5:5 (KJB)

On this episode of the Prophecy News Podcast, a strange thing is going on since the death of the Roman pontifex maximus Francis, it’s like a lid was lifted on the underworld, in the spirit realm, and all sorts of end times devils are bubbling to the surface. Is Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq the biblical Antichrist? Highly likely not, but, that’s not to say that he’s not here to play a part in this ongoing last days drama. One thing is for sure, he’s done a little homework and understands, from the Bible, who and what the actual Antichrist is, and for that reason deserves to come on the NTEB radar. Christian, prophecy is unfolding and fulfilling at such a rapid rate that it’s impossible, without a King James Bible, to keep up with what’s going on, going down and coming up. On this episode, prepare to have your mind blown as we introduce you to Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq. Also, updates from Rome ahead of the funeral service of Pope Francis set for Saturday.

Abdullah Hashem Aba Al Sadiq Says He Is The Biblical Messiah

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MONDAY AT NOON: Every Monday at Noon we review all the latest news and events related to bible prophecy, and examine what is happening in light of what is written. If you miss the live show, all of our Prophecy News Podcast programs are archived here.
FRIDAY AT NOON: Friday at Noon we review all the latest news and events related to bible prophecy, and examine what is happening in light of what is written. If you miss the live show, all of our Prophecy News Podcast programs are archived here.

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