How are Christians persecuted in Tajikistan?
- Much of the country is Muslim, and believers who come from this background face rejection, humiliation and possible violence from their families and communities.
- Anyone under age 18 is not allowed to attend church services, and Christians are not allowed to share their faith.
- In recent years, church meetings have increasingly been raided by the authorities, with church members being interrogated for hours at a time and pressured to inform on others. They can be detained, fined or imprisoned.
- The authorities target church leaders (who are mostly men) in order to impact the wider church and cause levels of fear to rise within the congregation. As a result, the risk of persecution has driven many Christians underground.
- Within Tajikistan’s traditional Islamic culture, female converts from Islam are particularly vulnerable to discrimination and violent persecution. If their conversion is discovered, female converts run the risk of being put under house arrest, beaten, rejected, sexually assaulted or forced to marry a Muslim.
- Open Doors sources report a recent story of a woman whose husband forbade her and her son from attending church and kept them locked up.
Why are Christians persecuted in Tajikistan?
- Tajikistan is a former Soviet state. Despite now officially having freedom of religion, the reality is different. The state still imposes restrictions on religious gatherings and activities. This is mainly to combat Islamist extremism, but the rules and surveillance affect Christians too, and the state is becoming increasingly wary of and hostile toward them.
- Families and communities consider conversion from Islam to be shameful, and so put intense pressure – including violence – on converts to return to Islam.
Who is particularly vulnerable in Tajikistan?
- Rights violations targeting all Christian communities and carried out by government officials can occur all over the country. Pressure from family, friends and community on converts is stronger outside of urban areas.
What has changed in Tajikistan in the past year?
- Christians face challenges and pressure from their communities and families, and the government imposes many restrictions on church activities.
- Tajikistan has risen seven places on this year’s World Watch List. Pressure increased across all areas for believers, and violence went up as well.
How can I help Christians in the region?
- Please keep praying for your brothers and sisters in Tajikistan. Your gifts and prayers make an enormous difference to those following Jesus no matter the cost.
Open Doors strengthens persecuted Christians in Central Asia by providing Bibles and Christian literature, biblical and vocational training, socio-economic development projects, and children’s, youth and women’s ministries.
please pray
Father God, thank You for the courage and determination of Your church in Tajikistan. Continue to give them confidence when they are accused of wrongdoing. We pray that the authorities will stop raiding and restricting faith communities and that the country will find a better way for people of different faiths to live together in peace. Help believers from Muslim backgrounds to find fellowship with one another, Amen.
