Police in Algeria raided a city's largest congregation recently, removing members by force and shutting down the building.

Several reports say that the Algerian government campaign to close churches continues. Open Doors USA posted a video on October 16, showing police raiding the largest church in Tizi Ouzou, one of Algeria’s major cities.

"This is what Christian persecution looks like in Algeria where the state has launched a campaign to close churches," Open Doors USA says. "(October 15), police unexpectedly showed up at this church and at one point, brutally beat the pastor and other believers."

Voice of the Martyrs (VOMC) says that in response, Algerian Christians have gathered Governorate building in Tizi Ouzou to express their concerns. Police violently arrested 97 people at the demonstration, injuring some of them.

A total of 11 churches from the Protestant Church of Algeria have been sealed so far, with eight of these government-mandated closures having occurred since May 2019.

Open Doors USA reports, "Algeria’s blasphemy laws make it difficult for Christians to share their faith out of fear their conversation may be considered blasphemous and used against them.

"In Algeria, it’s forbidden by law to 'shake the faith' of a Muslim or to use 'means of seduction' to convert a Muslim to another religion."

Christians suffer from harassment and discrimination in their daily life, says Open Doors.

"The pressure Christians face is particularly high in the rural and religiously more conservative parts of the North African country."