In Algeria, more than 99% of the population is Muslim. This makes the Jesuit mission in the country unique, along with the mission in Turkey. The Society is involved within the Christian minority community, which is very diverse in terms of nationalities. We have the privilege of serving a Muslim society in two cities, Algiers and Constantine, in a context of visible and strong religious practice, even more so in Constantine, which is more traditional.

Due to the characteristics of the Algerian context, we Jesuits live our mission and community life in a modest and simple way. Although the country is not very open to other countries and cultures (visas are difficult to obtain, with Tunisia being the only practical border), the Jesuits of Algeria are keen to maintain broader relations in order to better serve the mission. In this context, many of the religious, men and women, who come to serve in the Church are mostly of African origin. Islam, the predominant religion, remains a question to be explored in depth, and knowledge of Arab-Berber culture is essential. Even if it takes a long time, it is necessary to get to know and enter into the Algerian spirit. In this regard, some members of the community have even applied for and obtained Algerian citizenship.

The Society has a few apostolic commitments; one of them is the Centre Culturel Universitaire (CCU) in Algiers, through which we accompany a wide variety of Algerian Muslim students (80% of whom are girls). The CCU is an excellent space for Jesuits to be of service to young people who come to the Centre, regardless of their sex, nationality, language, or religion. The Centre offers cultural and artistic programs with the help of both Christian and Muslim collaborators. It aims to help the integral development of Algerian youth.

The Maison de Ben Smen is a spiritual centre on the outskirts of the city of Algiers. With a team of three Jesuits, Muslim employees and a network of collaborators, the spiritual centre organizes activities for Christians and Muslims, and for anyone looking for personal and inner renewal. Of note are the Spiritual Exercises weekends for everyone, Christians and Muslims alike.

In Constantine (400 km east of Algiers), integration into working-class Algerian society is organized by a small community that is very much a part of the Old Town. For 20 years, we have run a small educational centre, Nibras, which welcomes children aged 3 to 5 during the day and pupils aged 8 to 14 for after-school support. Two Algerian employees and about fifteen collaborators, including a psychologist, look after the children, and everything is done in Arabic. The relationship with the parents is essential and gives us a good insight into the experience of Algerian families. We also run the Dilou Library in the Bishops’ Court district, which has a high-quality collection of foreign-language books (mainly French and English) and religious books (mainly Christianity and Islam, in French and Arabic). The language “clubs” give Dilou its vitality, offering a space for personal expression in French, English, Spanish, German and Arabic. This makes us witnesses to the profound changes in youth with social networks and AI (Artificial Intelligence).

The Jesuits are also involved in various ministries in collaboration with the dioceses: we assist in spiritual accompaniment, recollections, parish animation, and we assist in other ministries like prison chaplaincy or welcoming people who have questions about Christianity. In all, the Society of Jesus is appreciated for the diversity of services that the local Jesuits provide. The long-standing nature of our establishments allows us to help welcome and integrate new pastoral workers.