Tohar Haydarov remains in prison. Photo: International Council of Churches of Evangelical Christians/Baptists
The month of April reportedly saw an upsurge in opposition against Christians in Uzbekistan -- from raids to fines to literature confiscation -- underscoring the need to continue to remember the nation's believers in prayer. Tohar Haydarov, 27, has been imprisoned since his arrest in March 2010 and is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for the "illegal sale of narcotic or psychotropic substances in large quantities" (for more click here). It is widely believed that the charges are fabricated as a means to punish Tohar for his religious activity. At last report, he had appealed the sentence but there was no indication of progress in justly clearing his name.
Pray for comfort and peace to reign in Tohar as he suffers for his faith. Pray that he will be assured that he is not forgotten, but loved and remembered by God and His people. Pray that the charges against Tohar will be dropped and that he will be released.
To find out more about Uzbek believers serving Christ at great cost, go to the Uzbekistan Country Report.
Current Ministry Project
VOMC has been working with project partners over the past couple of years to affirm and equip Christian women for continued ministry and to encourage unity among them.
Ethnicity (%) Uzbek (83.8), Tajik (4.8), Kazakh (2.5), Russian (2.3) Karakalpak (2.2), Tatar (1.5), other (4.4)
Religion (%) Islam (88), Eastern Orthodox (9), other (3)
Leader President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (2016)
Government type Presidential republic; highly authoritarian
Legal system Civil law system
Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Uzbekistan
Thank you for praying on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Uzbekistan who are undergoing severe mistreatment by those governing over them. Ask the Lord to remind these persevering believers that they are truly His beloved children. As their Heavenly Father, He is the One who governs their souls and eternal destiny. May they have a heightened awareness of His abiding presence, everlasting love, help in times of trouble – and whatever else they specifically need – as conveyed through the infallible promises of His powerful Word.
This past Christmas, a neighbourhood celebration in Uzbekistan was hosted by Tatyana Akhmadiyeva, a member of a local Baptist church. At the event, she offered Christian magazines to 15 of her neighbours. Local authorities received a report about the distribution and summoned Tatyana for questioning
A Lutheran church in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Photo: Wikipedia / Bobyrr (cc)
Although religious communities in Uzbekistan would like to obtain official permission (to exist), as required by the state, all their applications have been blocked. Protestant churches, Shia Muslim communities, along with gr
Join Uzbek believers in prayer as they seek the Lord for wisdom in these cases.
A small number of religious communities in Uzbekistan received their registration in late 2019. However, many others are encountering major obstacles in their attempts to obtain registration, which would allow them to fun
Tashkent, Uzbekistan Photo: Wikipedia / Atilin (c)
A Christian mother in Uzbekistan was killed by her husband on February 9th because she had recently accepted Christ. The attack happened at the Tashkent airport as she was attempting to flee the country.
Population
