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Tajikistan

• Officials Enforce Closure of Church

  
  Children in Tajikistan
  read Gospel books.

  On April 10th, the National Security Committee secret police arrested Pastor Bakhrom Kholmatov of the Sunmin Sunbogym Protestant Church in Khujand. He remains in custody, under investigation on criminal charges of alleged "extremism." The charges follow the seizure of hymnals and Christian books during a raid on his church. The pastor's family and church members have received no news of his physical condition nor state of health since the arrest.

  In early February 2017, the secret police and other law-enforcement agencies began raiding Sunmin Sunbogym's affiliated congregations. They particularly targeted the church in the town of Konibodom, demanding that the members renounce their faith and leave the church. Some believers were beaten, while others were dismissed from their jobs. The officials, who admittedly stated that their "purpose is to close down churches in Tajikistan and take away their property," enforced closure of the Konibodom church in March.

  In early April, the authorities then began raids on the central Sunmin Sunbogym Church in Khujand. While searching the church's premises, they seized the mentioned hymnbooks and other Christian literature. The secret police also condemned another book they had confiscated, More Than a Carpenter, which was written by the highly respected American author Josh McDowell. The officers stated that a group of their religious "experts" concluded that this book, as well as the other Christian texts, are all "extremist."

  Authorities frequently use extremism-related charges to punish individuals for exercising freedom of religion, even though these churches are officially registered with the state. Punishments include prison terms of up to twelve years unless an individual voluntarily agrees to stop their activity. Meanwhile, officials in Dushanbe have also closed two kindergartens. One was closed after officials found a Christian songbook, and the other because believers were employed there.

  Please prayerfully uphold all the believers in Tajikistan who have come under increasing intimidation and persecution by governmental authorities. Ask God to mightily intervene on their behalf, providing them strength, protection, provision, guidance and encouragement... as they wisely navigate appropriate ways to handle the opposition targeted against them. Also pray that Pastor Kholmatov will soon be released, and that all charges against him are dropped. May the Lord's presence be evident in this case so that those in authority will witness His power at work and come to acknowledge Him as their personal Saviour and Lord.

• Bomb Threats Against Church

  An evangelical church in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe has received repeated anonymous bomb threats. In-country sources state that the calls were made by someone who referred to himself as a Muslim with intentions of blowing up the church.

  Local Christians are greatly concerned as the church is in the midst of preparations for an upcoming Easter celebration which is scheduled for May 1st. They are requesting prayer for God's intervention and protection so that any plans made by militants to target the services will be appropriately averted. To learn about persecution in the country of Tajikistan, click here.

  The recent suicide bomb attack on Christians in Lahore, Pakistan, has put believers in other countries on high alert during church festivals. For more information on the attack that took place in Lahore, visit this page.

  Please pray for God's divine protection over His people in Tajikistan, and that our Christian brothers and sisters in this part of the world (estimated to number fewer than 100,000) will not be intimidated by the threats. Instead, may they continue walking closely in fellowship with our Lord Jesus as they persevere with the building of His Kingdom in their nation. Additionally, intercede for the Tajik government, in hopes that officials will take firm steps to protect those of minority faith groups, such as Christians, while promoting religious tolerance for all. May our omnipotent God, who sees the affliction of His children, work through the government's policies to ensure ongoing justice and protection are provided on their behalf.

• Young Convert Suffers Severe Persecution

  Nadia, a recent Christian convert in Tajikistan, is experiencing severe persecution at the hands of her Muslim family members. Nadia converted from Islam to Christianity in 2011 and was then baptized. After her mother found out, she beat Nadia, burned her Bible, and tore her clothing. Nadia tried to run away, but her brothers found her. They shaved her head, gave her a public beating, and then locked her in the house. When she ran away a second time, they unfortunately caught her again.

  Nadia called a Voice of the Martyrs contact on June 9th, sobbing, saying that her family had beaten her again, this time for hours, and forced her to say the Muslim statement of faith. The VOM contact has since been unable to reach Nadia by phone as her family most likely had it disconnected. (For other reports on persecution in Tajikistan, check the Tajikistan Country Report.)

  Pray for the Lord's protection upon Nadia, asking Him to direct her to a safe place of refuge and provision so she can receive necessary help and healing (2 Corinthians 1:10). May Nadia sense His loving presence with her wherever she goes, encouraging her to remain strong in the Christian faith. Please also intercede for her family members who clearly need to be delivered from spiritual darkness...and brought into the light of God's truth and salvation.

• New restrictions on religious freedom

  New restrictions ban children from attending church in Tajikistan. Photo: AsiaNews

  The Upper Chamber of Tajikistan's Parliament recently adopted two legal measures that will further restrict religious freedom, particularly the religious education of children. On July 21, a new Parental Responsibility Law was passed, banning almost all children under 18 from participating in religious activity. At the same time, an amendment to the Criminal Code was passed to punish organizers of "extremist religious" teaching -- an unidentified concept that could easily be applied against Christian leaders.

  Both of the new legal measures -- which still need to be signed by President Emomali Rahmon to come into force -- come just two weeks after an amendment made to the country's Religion Law decreed tight restrictions on religious education abroad for children and adults.

  Pray for an end to restrictions on religious freedom in Tajikistan. Ask the Lord to continue to equip believers to make the most of every opportunity to share their faith. Pray for wisdom for all believers in the nation as they serve Christ and witness to those who do not yet know Him as Lord.

  To find out more about the trials facing Christians in Tajikistan, go to theTajikistan Country Report.

• Restrictive Parental Responsibility Law may be adopted

  Tajikistan's Parliament may adopt a restrictive Parental Responsibility Law, drafts of which ban children from attending religious activities apart from funerals. The latest text of the proposed law has not been made public -- even though it is being discussed in parliamentary committees. It may be adopted by July, even though drafts of the law -- which was initiated by President Emomali Rahmon -- break the Constitution and international human rights standards. Local religious communities, independent legal experts and human rights defenders have condemned the draft, but Deputy Marhabo Jabborova, chair of a parliamentary committee leading discussions, told Forum 18 that he "is not aware of any comments from religious communities."

  Pray God will enable Christian parents to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to Christ so that their children will be encouraged to walk closely with the Lord as they grow up (Deuteronomy 11:18-20, 2 Timothy 1:5). Pray the people of Tajikistan will be granted religious freedom.

  To read more about religious restrictions in Tajikistan, visit the Tajikistan Country Report.

• Update: Religious communities face registration deadline

  

  Many religious communities in Azerbaijan and Tajikistan have not yet re-registered with authorities, as required by restrictive religion laws that were passed in both countries earlier this year (for more information, click here and here). If religious communities fail to register by January 1, 2010, they will be considered illegal.

  As of December 16, only about 100 of the 534 religious communities in Azerbaijan that previously had registration statuses have re-registered. Amendments to the Religion Law will require communities to provide an increased range of information when applying for registration and to obtain approval to build or rebuild worship places. Additional amendments include a ban on the sale of religious literature in unapproved locations and on religious activity outside registered addresses.

  In Tajikistan, fewer than half of the religious communities in the country have been re-registered. The highly restrictive Religion Law imposes state censorship on all religious literature, bans state officials from being among the founders of a religious community, requires state approval to invite foreigners for religious visits or to travel abroad for religious events, and restricts children's religious activity and education. (Source: Forum18)

  Pray that authorities in Azerbaijan and Tajikistan will respect freedom of religion. Pray that Christians in former Soviet republics will echo Peter's sentiment and be determined to obey God regardless of what man says (Acts 5:29).

  To find out more about the hardships Christians face in Azerbaijan and Tajikistan, go to theAzerbaijan Country Report and theTajikistan Country Report.

• Update: President signs restrictive religion law

  President Emomali Rahmon

  Tajikistan's President, Emomali Rahmon, has signed a repressive new religion law that was first sent to parliament for approval in mid-November (click here for more information). The legislation, which violates the country's constitution and international human rights obligations, has been harshly criticized by many human rights groups, including the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

  For more information on the opposition facing Christians in Tajikistan,click here.

• Update: Restrictive religion law approved

  President Emomali Rahmon

  A restrictive draft religion law sent to the Tajik parliament for approval in November (click here for more information) was approved by the Lower House of parliament on March 5 and by the Upper House on March 13. The law is expected to go to President Emomali Rahmon for signing in coming weeks.

  For more information on the opposition of Christians in Tajikistan, click here.

• Restrictive religion law proposed

  President Emomali Rahmon

  A restrictive draft religion law was sent by Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon to the parliament for approval on November 19, according to a report from Forum 18. The draft law allegedly restricts the activity of religious organizations, limits religious education, and imposes state censorship over religious literature. If the law passes, religious organizations currently registered would be forced to re-register by July 1. However, the draft law's stringent requirements would make it difficult for some groups to continue to qualify for registration.

  Pray that this law will not pass parliament. Ask God to work in the lives of Tajikistan's leaders so that they too will turn to Him.

  To learn more about the persecution of Christians in Tajikistan, go to theTajikistan Country Report.

• Hit Man Confesses to Killing Pastor

  On January 12, Baptist pastor Sergei Besarab was praying in his home when he was shot point-blank with automatic weapons (click here for more details). According to Forum 18, a hit man has confessed to killing him, though the person who contracted him has not yet been found. While there is no official reason given for the killing, Besarab's evangelistic work had angered local people.