| · The following is a fictional story based on real events.

Rachid loved to look out across the white buildings of Central Algiers. They reflected the dazzling sunlight back toward him perched on his fourth floor balcony near the Main Post Office. Rachid strained to see a ship arriving from the Mediterranean Sea just beyond the harbour. To the south he could see the towering national Martyrs monument and to the north he could see parts of the casbah (the old city). Traffic was jammed near the Main Post Office. Car horns and many passing ears got no rest as impatient drivers sought to escape the blocked street. Just before 1:00 PM the muezzin began his call to prayer over the local mosque's loud speakers. Soon dozens of mosques were echoing the same refrain throughout the city in Arabic.

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
(Allah* is the greatest)
I bear witness that there is no god except Allah (x2)
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God (x2)
Come to prayer (x2)
Come to prosperity (x2)
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
There is no god except Allah**

Several men in the street below starting to move toward the local mosque. Rachid did not usually have the habit of participating in the prayers even on Fridays. However, the recent death of his uncle had made him start reflecting about getting serious with his religious duties. He also needed to get married. His late evenings in neighbouring Tipaza partying with his young friends were probably going to have to end. Rachid knew that the seriousness of life would soon overtake him.

Flag of Algeria

Map of Algeria

All over the world Muslims are called to prayer five times per day. In many cities it is possible to hear the call from dozens of local mosques at once. In the early morning the phrase "Prayer is better than sleep" is added to the call.

Prayer requests:

* Over two million people live in greater Algiers. There are possibly several hundred Christians from a Muslim background among the Arabs and Berbers who make up the population. Several thousand new believers in the Messiah live among the Berbers of Kabylia a few hours to the east of Algiers. A 2006 national law essentially forbids any Christian evangelism efforts (Acts 5:27-29).

* Many of Algiers young people are torn between western youth culture and their traditional roots. May they find the father. (Luke 15:11-32).

* Pray that house groups may flourish in the following districts of the city and suburbs (Acts 20:20, 21:8, 28:30, Romans 16:5).

*Please note that the word Allah is used by Muslims and almost all Arab Christians when referring to the God of Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus. However there are profound differences in Muslim and Christian understanding of the God of Abraham (see our Understanding Islam articles).

Video: Sights and Sounds of Algeria

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