Algiers, Algeria - A leading Islamic scholar in Algeria has accused the Protestant Church of bribing people to convert to Christianity, and called on authorities to crack down on "aggression against Algerians," a press report said Wednesday.
The head of the Algerian Association of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Al-Shayban, called on officials to counter missionary campaigns by the church which, he said, "has reached the point of aggression against Algerians."
According to a report by the Association on the church's activities in tribal areas, every convert gets 5,000 euros (7,200 dollars) and university students are offered scholarships to study abroad, the Algerian newspaper Al-Khabar reported.
The report also said the Protestant Church rewards its clergy for every Muslim convert, and proclaims the legitimacy of Israel.
Shayban called for a crackdown under the religious practice law for non-Muslims, which, he said, is the only way to protect Muslims.
The law regulates the activities of religious minorities and places their congregations under close scrutiny. It also stipulates that non-Muslim conferences must get prior permission from the provincial governor and provide a list of participants and their addresses.
The Protestant Church, Shayban said, is buying land in tribal areas to build places of worship and conversion centers.
Shayban said that after independence, Algerian Christians only asked for the freedom to practice their religion. "Now they have reached the extent of assaulting us," he added.
But Shayban praised Algerian Catholics who he said "do not take part in the absurdities of Protestants."