PRAY FOR UZBEKISTAN
– That secret believers will draw near to God, despite the risks.
– That God will soften the hearts of those who have rejected a family member.
– For bold faith for church leaders facing persecution.
WORLD WATCH LIST
Uzbekistan
#21Churches are frequently raided, and those who attend may be threatened, arrested, or fined.
bottom“After my conversion to Christianity, my brother wanted to have nothing to do with me... he became very angry as soon as he saw me and said: ‘Go away, what are you doing here? I don’t want anything to do with you!’ For 20 years we did not have contact with each other.”
– Aziz* is a believer from a Muslim background, who regained a relationship with his brother after 20 years of ostracism (Sept 2020)
Country
Profile
- Region
- Central Asia
- Sources of persecution
- Dictatorial Paranoia
- Population
- 34,382,000
- Christian population
- 351,000
- Religions
- Islam
- Leader
- President Shavkat Mirziyoyev
- Score
- 71
What’s Life Like For Christians?
Freedom of religion is severely restricted in Uzbekistan. Although the population is 96% Muslim, the government is staunchly secular and no religious activities beyond state-run and state-controlled institutions are allowed.
Church leaders are fined, detained, or put under house arrest in an attempt to spread fear throughout their congregations. Pastors of unregistered churches in particular have been insulted, beaten and humiliated.
Who Is Most Vulnerable To Persecution?
Christians from a Muslim background are most vulnerable to persecution. Apart from suffering at the hands of the state, they also face strong pressure from family, friends, and community. Pressure from family, friends and community on converts is stronger in more rural regions. In conservative regions, a new believer may be kidnapped by their own community and married off to a Muslim.
