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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

15 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

We Gave A Bible To Maria At Glory Fellowship Church, And She Used It To Read It To Her Lost Dad Every Day For Two Weeks, He Got Saved And Given His Own Bible

Published

1 day ago

July 2, 2026

Geoffrey Grider

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From A Life Of Theft Since Age 12 To New Life In Jesus Christ, Jared Was Saved After Hearing The Bible Read To Him By His Own Child, Maria from Glory Fellowship Church in Kenya

A few months ago, we launched Operation Africa! in Kisii, Kenya, putting over 1,000 Bibles into the hands of Pastor Dancan and the Glory Fellowship Church and Orphanage. Since that time, the church has seen a wonderful influx of new people, many of whom became members, and an increase in the number of children taken care of by the orphanage. Maria has been attending the church for the past two years. She was given a Bible by us, and she faithfully began reading it to her father, Jared, who got saved! Here now is his amazing salvation story.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 (KJB)

Pastor Dancan writes: “Today during our church service, a young man came forward to share a wonderful testimony. He told us that he gave his life to Jesus because his child, who has been attending our church, has been reading the Bible to him every day for the past two weeks. He shared that he had been a thief since the age of 12, but through hearing God’s Word from his own child, his heart was transformed. Today, he made the decision to follow Jesus Christ. Pastor, the Bibles you generously gifted to us are changing lives and touching many souls. As we welcomed him into our church family, we presented him with a Bible of his own so that he can continue to grow in his faith. Thank you for your generosity and for partnering with us in spreading the Gospel. May God continue to bless you abundantly.” Praise the Lord, what a blessing! For them, and for us.

Christian, this is what missions are all about. The sending out of God’s word to the ends of the Earth, the raising up people to plant and minister the gospel to the lost wherever they may be found, and the reaping of the soul harvest. Operation Africa! gave 13-year old Maria her first Bible, she took that gift and began to minister to her father, he got saved and was then presented with one of the Bibles we provided. This is why we work, this is why we labour, this is why we send out free Bibles as far and wide as the Lord will enable us to do. Your prayer and generous financial support makes all of it possible. Come help us to stay in the fight, we need you!!

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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!!!

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Donald Trump

THE PROPHECY NEWS PODCAST: Trump Discernment Syndrome Is The Moment You Stop Cheering The Show & Start Seeing The Strings, The Script, And The Scam

Published

2 days ago

July 1, 2026

Geoffrey Grider

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Trump Discernment Syndrome Is Not Derangement, It Is The Moment The MAGA Spell Breaks And You See The ‘America First’ Scam For What It Really Is

For years, the political elites and their cheering section have mocked truth-tellers with the phrase “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” as if anyone who questions Donald Trump must be irrational, bitter, or blinded by hatred. But the exact opposite is true. What we are watching is Trump Discernment Syndrome — the moment when people finally wake up and see through the carefully manufactured image, the endless branding, the fake strength, the hollow promises, and the nonstop social media memitic manipulation. It is the ability to look past the slogans, the staged patriotism, and the cult of personality and recognize the scam for what it is. That’s not derangement, that’s discernment, and you need to have it in these last days.

“Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?“ Luke 12:56 (KJB)

On this episode of the Prophecy News Podcast, the real delusion belongs to the hypnotized MAGA crowd that has been trained to call compromise courage, propaganda truth, and blind loyalty righteousness. They excuse the contradictions, ignore the wreckage, and defend the deception because they have emotionally invested themselves in the illusion. But spiritual discernment breaks the spell. Discernment sees the cracked mask, reads the fruit, and refuses to bow before the 22-foot high golden idol. In an age where millions have traded critical thinking for political worship, Trump Discernment Syndrome is what happens when your eyes are opened and you see what’s actually in front of you. That is the core of Trump Discernment Syndrome: seeing that the same thing Trump condemned in Obama becomes “genius” when Trump does it. If Obama unfreezing Iranian assets was appeasement, then Trump unfreezing Iranian assets is appeasement. If Obama giving Iran economic breathing room was dangerous, then Trump giving Iran economic breathing room is dangerous. If Obama allowing the regime to survive was weakness, then Trump preserving the regime while calling it peace is also weakness. If Biden and his children profitting from his elected office was wrong, then Trump and his children profitting from his elected office has to be wrong. It must be wrong! Today we show you 12 examples of Trump Derangement Syndrome and watch what happens when we apply with glorious light of Truth to see what’s really going on. The real Trump Derangement Syndrome is people who willing volunteer to believe a lie, worship a man, and today we break that spell and cast out the devils of deception. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” All this and much more on today’s Prophecy News Podcast!

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Headline News

The Big Bible Believers Bookstore Sale Is Here On July 1st Thru The 6th With 25% Off EVERYTHING Including Ruckman Bibles, Commentaries, Clothing & Gifts!

Published

3 days ago

June 30, 2026

Geoffrey Grider

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The Big Bible Believers Bookstore Sale Is Here July 1–6 With 25% Off Everything Including Ruckman Bibles, Commentaries, KJB Study Helps, Clothing And Gifts

Starting on Wednesday July 1 and running through Tuesday July 6, the Bible Believers Bookstore is launching a huge 25% off storewide sale on everything we sell, and this is the perfect time to stock up on the books, Bibles, study tools, Church supplies and ministry materials that every Bible believer needs. That means 25% off Ruckman Reference Bibles, commentaries, books by Clarence Larkin and Dr. Sam Gipp and Dr. William Grady, King James Bible study helps, prophecy materials, preaching resources, and the kind of solid doctrinal books that are getting harder and harder to find in these Laodicean last days.

“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” 1 Timothy 4:13 (KJB)

But it’s not just books and Bibles — we are also taking 25% off all caps, clothing, gifts, and everything else in the store. Whether you are shopping for yourself, getting a gift for a Bible believer, adding to your study library, or helping someone else get grounded in the truth of the King James Bible, this is the sale you do not want to miss. For six days only, from July 1 through July 6, everything in the Bible Believers Bookstore is 25% off, so come ready, shop big, and help support an old-fashioned, God-honoring Christian Bookstore that still stands for The Book.

THIS SALE STARTS JULY 1 AND RUNS TO JULY 6, 25% OFF EVERYTHING WE SELL, DON’T MISS IT!!