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2 Av 5769 - July 23, 2009 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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NEWS
Algeria Sets Up Organization to Represent Jews

By R. Hoffner

Algerian officials have confirmed the setup of an organization to represent the Jewish minority in the country. According to El Khabar, Algeria's widest circulation Arabic newspaper, the decision could lead to "violent reactions" by fringe extremists.

Religious Affairs Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Falahi announced that the new organization would be headed by Roger Siyad, a veteran attorney who is not a rabbi, but is "a religious and cultured figure who will take part in numerous events in Algeria."

The organization was set up based on a 2006 law requiring members of religious minorities to form an association that would help them preserve their religious customs and request permission to hold ceremonies at locations approved in advance. The law includes stiff penalties for encouraging Muslims to convert, apparently referring to Christian evangelists.

The new organization will work in cooperation with the Religious Affairs Ministry on the issue of renovating Jewish cemeteries in Constantine (in the east), Blida and Tlemcen (in the west).

Senior government minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem told a Qatari newspaper that the activity of Jewish associations in his country does not indicate the start of normalization between Algeria and Israel. He confirmed his government recently approved the setup of religious representation for Jews in Algeria, but noted they are entitled to these rights as citizens.

Some observers see the move as a further sign of positive developments by the Algerian government towards its Jewish population. Jews of Algerian origin who recently traveled to the country for a visit said they were well received by the authorities and noted renovation and preservation work carried out at the country's Jewish cemeteries.

 

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