The government of Uzbekistan has reacted strongly to the designation of their nation as one of the world's worst violators of religious freedom by the U.S. State Department last week. In a November 27 statement, the Uzbek foreign ministry dismissed their designation as a "country of particular concern" as being "groundless" claiming, "Religious toleration and forbearance have always been and remain to be the most important component of the state policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan." A November 27 report from Forum18, however, recounts two incidents in the last month that demonstrate the continuing difficulties facing Uzbek Christians. On November 3, the Justice Department for the Tashkent region issued an official warning to the Full Gospel Pentecostal Church in Yangiyul to re-register their statute within a month or be stripped of their registration. Church sources point out that re-registration within that timeframe is all but impossible. If registration is revoked, all activities of the church would be illegal and punishable.
On November 13, thirty police officers raided a Pentecostal church in Tashkent. They confiscated hundreds of video and audio recordings and thirty books, including Bibles. Several young people were forced to go to the police station to give statements. The church's pastor, Serik Kadyrov, was threatened with prosecution. One church member, Risto Dyachkov, was found guilty of violating Uzbekistan's controversial religion law (Article 240 of the Code of Administrative Offenses) and was fined 60,000 sums ($55.00 CAD).
Pray that the Full Gospel Pentecostal Church in Yangiyul will be able to re-register. Pray that, even when there is harassment and opposition, Uzbek Christians will continue to be faithful to give testimony to Him in their lives (Acts 4:19). Pray that those who oppress them will come to repentance and respond to God's grace (Acts 9:1-19).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Uzbekistan, click here.
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