A series of police raids across Uzbekistan in recent days further demonstrate the difficulties facing Christians in this former Soviet republic.
According to a March 14 report from Forum 18, on February 26 approximately twenty police officers burst into a home in the town of Syr-Darya where nine Pentecostal Christians were holding a social gathering. Musical instruments, New Testaments, and other religious literature were confiscated and those present were forced to sign written statements that they had gathered for an unauthorized religious meeting. The next day, a judge found Pastor Viktor Melko and another member, Kurbona Abdieva, guilty of operating an unregistered church community. Each was fined 25,000 Soms ($25.00 CDN), almost two weeks' salary.
On February 11, police raided a home in the village of Kum Kurgan, where forty Protestants were meeting for worship. Police recorded the names of each person present. For the next eighteen days, they were summoned to the police station for interrogation that continued each day from 6:00 a.m. until late in the evening. Bibles and personal notes were confiscated from the Christians. Authorities paid particular attention to Rosa Tsoi, who was visiting from Tashkent. They threatened to charge her with illegal missionary activity. Police took her Bible and passport. They finally returned her passport but took 200,000 Soms ($200.00 CDN) from her as "security."
On March 5, ten officers came into the Smak cafe in Tashkent. They ordered nine Protestant Christians who were there to sign written statements that they had gathered for an unauthorized religious meeting.
Missionary activity and unregistered religious communities are considered illegal in Uzbekistan. Registration is not permitted for communities with less than one hundred members. As such, there is no way for smaller churches to register. Religious literature for personal use is permitted, making the confiscation of Bibles (as noted above) illegal.
Pray that the believers' hearts will be ruled by the peace of Christ as the Uzbek government steps up its attempts to control religious activities. Pray that the government leaders will uphold the religious rights that are officially recognized in Uzbekistan. Pray that Uzbek believers will entrust their lives into the hands of their loving heavenly Father.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Uzbekistan, click here.
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