Uzbekistan has enacted a "Prevention Law" aimed at prohibiting the practice of religion without state permission. This law empowers state bodies, committees and district councils to enforce religion laws. It also requires them to report those they suspect might be guilty of religious crimes, such as "teaching" religion or storing religious materials without permission.
Persecution against Protestant believers has escalated as police raids, administrative detentions and massive fines are issued for merely sharing one's faith or possessing Christian materials. Police brutality and torture are endemic. For example, on May 8th, Murot Turdiyev was beaten and then strangled by police until he lost consciousness. Another believer, Guljahon Kuzebayeva, who merely shared her faith with family members, is so afraid that she's been in hiding since the police raided her home about 12 months ago.
While Uzbekistan is a secular state, religion is tightly controlled. Christians represent a mere 0.75 percent of the majority Muslim population. Following global trends, Uzbekistan's Muslims are also being radicalized. Unfortunately, as radicalization advances, so does the intolerance of Christianity. More examples of this can be found here.
Pray that the Lord will minister strength, encouragement and healing to Murot, Guljahon and others who have been directly affected by the harsh actions of the government. Ask Him to give Uzbekistan's Christians, especially pastors and evangelists, great wisdom as they seek to navigate and provide spiritual leadership among an increasingly hostile and difficult environment. Also pray for overall church unity, so that the country's believers will be a blessing and strength to each other through these trying times.
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