Algerian Religion

The nation of Algeria possess very few religions because the majority of the country's religious make up is predominantly Sunni Islam. Islam is by far the most practiced by the country's inhabitants but Sunni Islam or Muslim religion permeates through every aspect of life in Algeria. Islam is engrained in the culture of Algeria in that Islam gives Algeria its cultural and social identity as well as its principles which govern most of the nations behavior and ethics. Apart from the large following of Islam in Algeria, there are also small numbers of Christians, Jews, Atheists, and some additional religions.

There are no myths in the  history of Algeria or in our textbook which explain how Islam became such a dominant religion in Algeria. However, the explanation for the supremacy of Islam in Algeria is due to Muslim armies which invaded from Cairo for over a thousand years. It was these armies who brought Islam to the Berbers who are the descendants of the pre-Arab populations of North Africa. Berbers are primarily Sunni Muslim, but many traditional practices can be found among them. This is the explanation of the origins of Islam in the country of Algeria.

The Berbers slowly converted to Islam over centuries and the religion was not dominant until the sixteenth century. Before this mass conversion to Islam began, some of the Berber groups converted to Christianity or Judaism while others decided to practice polytheism. Due to the influence of Islamic culture some religions which briefly existed were over swept by Islam. The indigenous religion of Algeria is the beliefs of the Berbers prior to their conversion to Islam, which was nothing necessarily specific. It seems to be that the Berbers did not have a specific religion prior to the invasion of Islam.

The impact of Islam and Christianity in Algeria has given the country a sense of identity. Before the invasion of Islam, Algeria seemed to have minor ties to any sort of religion. Through the countries synchronization with Islam over the years, Algeria has created its own set of governing principles and beliefs.

"Gain Insight into Algeria's Religions." Religion in Algeria. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2015.

"Algeria Demographics Profile 2014." Algeria Demographics Profile 2014. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2015.

"Algeria - History Background." - Percent, French, Muslim, and Arabic. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2015.

"Berber." - New World Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2015.