Personality Cult Imposed on Churches

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Since 1996, the people of Turkmenistan have lived under highly restrictive laws that allow only two religious communities to register; the Sunni Muslim Board and the Russian Orthodox Church.  On March 11, 2004, President Saparmurat Niyazov announced that most restrictions on church registrations would be dropped.  However, this did not prevent further persecution.  While some church groups have been able to register, they continue to face serious restrictions on where they can worship.  They also face a ban on the printing and importing of religious literature.  Raids on church groups meeting outside of approved locations have been documented.

Golden Statue of President Niyazov which rotates to face the sun
Monument to Niyazov's Rukhnama.
Throughout the day, the book will open and close.
One of the obstacles also faced by religious communities in Turkmenistan is the enforced personality cult of President Niyazov.  Referred to as Turkmenbashi (Father of the Turkmens), he has ruled single-handedly since Turkmenistan's independence from the USSR in 1991.  A golden statue of Niyozov stands in the capital of Ashgabat which always rotates to face the sun.  A monument has been erected to his writings and a huge mosque was built in his home town of Kipchak, integrating quotes from Niyazov's writings, known as Rukhnama (Book of the Soul), on the walls, together with passages from the Koran. The government has begun pressuring religious communities, both Christian and Muslim, to integrate the reading of Niyazov's books into their worship, quoting him alongside the Bible or Koran.  One official said in 2000 that the Rukhnama makes up shortcomings in the Bible and the Koran. 

Pray for churches, as they endeavour to minister to the people of Turkmenistan under the cloud of this dictator.  Pray for wisdom and strength for those pressured to integrate the writings of this man with the words of Scripture.

For more information on persecution facing Christians in Turkmenistan, click here.

  • Country Information

    Population
    5,690,818 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Turkmen (85), Uzbek (5), Russian (4), other (6)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (93), Christian (6.4)

    Leader
    President Serdar Berdimuhamedov (2022)

    Government type
    Presidential republic; authoritarian

    Legal system
    Civil law system with Islamic law influences

    Source: CIA World Factbook

    Pray for Turkmenistan

    Pray that the Lord will give the suffering members of the church in Turkmenistan the strength and determination to stand firm amid opposition and oppression. May they be granted opportunities to meet together for meaningful times of worship, Bible study and fellowship – encouraging and edifying one another in the Christian faith. Despite governmental restrictions, and the threat of fine or imprisonment, may the church in Turkmenistan flourish and bear much good fruit.

  • Pray for Turkmenistan

    Pray that the Lord will give the suffering members of the church in Turkmenistan the strength and determination to stand firm amid opposition and oppression. May they be granted opportunities to meet together for meaningful times of worship, Bible study and fellowship – encouraging and edifying one another in the Christian faith. Despite governmental restrictions, and the threat of fine or imprisonment, may the church in Turkmenistan flourish and bear much good fruit.

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Turkmenistan News

  • Christmastime Raid
    Christians studying the Bible - Photo: World Watch Monitor www.worldwatchmonitor.org
    Pray that Turkmen believers will have opportunities to share God’s truths.
    Photo: World Watch Monitor

    A group of women who gathered on December 26th had their worship time disrupted by a police raid. The home was searched and cell-phones were confiscated. The women were forced to give legal statements and have their photos and fingerprints taken. At last report, no fines had been levied.

    Though other faith groups have faced harassment throughout the year, this is the only known raid of Protestant Christians in 2019. Even so, the country's leaders maintain tight controls on freedom of belief, allowing only approved activities and religious literature. Any sharing of one's faith is banned and punishable. More information on the persecution of Christians in Turkmenistan is available here.

    Read more...

  • Christian Imprisoned for Faith Released!

    A prisoner who was charged disproportionately because of his Christian faith has been released from prison after nearly three years behind bars. Umid Gojayev, 32, was freed through prisoner amnesty on February 17th. Turkmenistan's president signed a decree initiating the amnesty to mark the country's celebration of Flag Day.

    Read more...

  • Christian Leader Fined Following Police Raid

    A Christian leader from Galkynysh in Lebap Region was recently fined two weeks' average local wages following a police raid. The authorities stopped Narmurad Mominov just as he left the home of a Christian family he had been visiting. Narmurad was ordered to stay at the home, where he and the other believers were forced to write statements confessing of their involvement in a religious meeting. During the subsequent search of the hosting family’s home, a New Testament was found in one of the rooms. The officers demanded to know where the homeowner had obtained the Scriptures.

    Read more...

  • Follower of Jesus Endures Detention for His Faith
    Umid Gojayev

    Umid Gojayev, a 30-year-old husband and father of three young children, is continuing to be held in detention because of his faith.

    In early 2012, Umid had an argument with four neighbours over access to a well where they live in Dashoguz. In the scuffle, Umid was forced to defend himself and hit one of the men on the head with a brick, causing injury. The man filed a complaint against Umid with local police. Several days later, Umid and his family reconciled with the man he injured and paid for his hospital expenses. Although the victim refused to press charges, when police learned that Umid was a Christian, they insisted on bringing the case to court.

    Read more...

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