Pastor Nurliev has been imprisoned since August 2010
Family and friends of Pastor Ilmurad Nurliev were disappointed in late August when the president did not include the pastor in what has become an annual amnesty of prisoners. Pastor Ilmurad was arrested at his home in Mary in south-eastern Turkmenistan on August 27, 2010. He was charged with extracting money from three people -- an accusation his wife, Maya, and fellow church members strongly deny (for more, please go to www.vomcanada.com/tm-2010-10-28.htm).
A friend of the family told Forum 18 that Maya is "so disappointed" that her husband was not released and that "she sits at home and cries." Family and friends were heartened, however, to hear that the pastor has finally been treated for his diabetes for the first time since his arrest. Maya has been able to visit her husband on approved visiting days.
Please continue to pray for Ilmurad's release. Pray for comfort for Maya while her husband is in prison. Pray that, as they suffer, they will rely on the Lord's strength and not on their own (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). Pray that many more in Turkmenistan would come to faith in Jesus Christ.
Ethnicity (%) Turkmen (85), Uzbek (5), Russian (4), other (6)
Religion (%) Islam (93), Christian (6.4)
Leader President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow (2007)
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 that Turkmen believers will have opportunities to share God’s truths. Photo: World Watch Monitor
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