Newspapers Hit Back at Muslim Preachers

Independent Algerian newspapers hit back at a government-sponsored barrage of sermons by clerics who accused the papers of betraying Islam and urged a boycott of the press.

“Hateful preachings were made yesterday against the independent press, and particularly against our daily, Liberte,” one national paper said.

Religious Affairs Minister Bouabdallah Ghoulemallah confirmed that the government had advised the imams on what to preach, but said it only concerned Liberte, which he said had “offended Islamic values.”

The government appoints imams, and papers have recently accused them of urging congregants to reelect President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April.