Fined for Street Evangelism

30 July 2003

A Baptist Christian in Tajikistan, Andrei Reimer, has been fined the equivalent of $11.00 CDN, five times the minimum wage, for conducting religious meetings in a courtyard and for "talking to passers-by about God." Reimer lives in the suburbs of Khudzhand, the principal town in the northern region of Sogdi. According to a July 29 report from Forum 18, he was fined by the Chkalovsk district court when he refused to provide a written assurance that he would not repeat his preaching. If he does not pay the fine, he may face confiscation of property.

Tajik law does not forbid street meetings or meeting in private homes. In spite of this, many people have faced charges for unregistered religious gatherings.

Pray that Reimer and other Christians in Tajikistan will stand boldly for the Lord, in spite of this opposition, saying with Peter and John, "we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20 NASB).

Tajikistan

Current Ministry Project
VOMC has come alongside project partners to offer an English camp as an opportunity for evangelism and outreach among youth and young adults. Camp participants are invited to embrace the Good News of the Gospel through the platform of the English Camps.

Project Fund: Equipping the Saints
Country Information
Population
9,245,937 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Tajik (84.3), Uzbek (13.8), Other (2)

Religion (%)
Muslim (98), Other (2)

Leader
President Emomali Rahmon (1994)

Government type
Presidential republic

Legal system
Civil law system

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Tajikistan
Pray God will provide for the physical needs of the people of Tajikistan.

Pray freedom of religion will be respected by the government.

Tajikistan News

No New Churches Allowed

Pray that Tajikistan’s youth will be allowed to participate in Christian summer camp programs.
Photo: VOMC Ministry Partner

In late May, Protestant church leaders in Tajikistan were summoned to a meeting with Sulaymon Davlatzoda, the chair of the State Committee for Religious Affairs and Regulation of Traditions, Ceremonies and Rituals. During the meeting, they were informed that the government would no longer be registering any new churches. "We will keep the figure of registered churches unchanged from now on," Sulaymon told them. He further went on to remind the church leaders that there are to be no religious activities for those under 18 years of age, including their participation in any religious camps.

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Fines for Bible Translation

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Pastor Released Early

Pastor Bakhrom Kholmatov and
his wife (undated image).
Photo: World Watch Monitor

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Pastor Batyr
Photo: Release International

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