#31in Christian persecution, Tajikistan

Tajikistan Facts

Score:65/ 100Region:Central AsiaPersecution Type:Dictatorial paranoiaPersecution Level:Very HighPopulation:9,292,000Christians:71,100Main Religion:IslamGovernment:Presidential republicLeader:President Emomali Rahmon

Profile of Persecution

Violence 7%Church Life 78%National Life 75%Community Life 71%Family Life 73%Private Life 83%How the scoring worksDownload country dossier with in-depth research

Restrictions and raids

In this central Asian country, no religious activities beyond state-run and state-controlled institutions are allowed. Local authorities and police monitor religious meetings, detain believers, raid church meetings and confiscate religious materials. Here, Christian converts are the main persecution targets by the central government and from family, friends and community.

By tightening already restrictive laws and strictly enforcing them, the government heavily pressures all “deviating” groups. Christians are seen as extremists for their practice of religion outside of state-sanctioned structures, such as the Russian Orthodox Church. Since 2015, authorities have stepped up pressure, playing out in more raids of Christian meetings and more Christians rounded up for interrogation. Members of the Protestant church are commonly regarded as followers of an alien sect with only one goal—to spy and destroy the current political system. As a result, Christians are seen as threats that need to be controlled or eradicated.

How Christians are suffering

If Muslim indigenous citizens convert to Christianity, they are likely to experience pressure and occasional physical violence from their families, friends and local community to force them to return to their former faith. Some converts are locked up by their families for long periods of time and beaten, and may eventually be expelled from their communities. Local mullahs also preach against them, adding even more pressure. As a result, converts in Tajikistan will do their best to hide their faith, becoming “secret believers.”

Examples

A senior official in Tajikistan’s customs service confirmed that authorities confiscated and burned 5,000 evangelical Christian calendars ordered by a Baptist church in the Central Asian country.

Specific examples of persecution in Tajikistan usually go unreported by all sources. However, this lack of data doesn’t mean persecution isn’t occurring, but rather that Tajik believers don’t report them to foreign sources.

Population and number of Christian statistics: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds., World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2019).

Pray for Tajikistan

Pray with converts in Tajikistan who are experiencing an increase in stress and problems in their everyday life as a result of persecution. Pray they will seek God’s wisdom for how to deal with these growing pressures and stand firm in their faith.One of the major problems facing believers in Tajikistan is the lack of cooperation and much division between the various Christian denominations. Unfortunately, there are but few exceptions to this, and that reality plays into the hands of the government. Pray that believers would prioritize peace with each other.No religious activities beyond state-run and state-controlled institutions are allowed. As a result, Christians are seen as extremists for practicing their religion. Pray this view of Christians would change.

Tajikistan Photo Gallery

Stories from Tajikistan

January 15, 2020

Every day, 8 Christians killed for their decision to follow Jesus

In-depth research for Open Doors' 2020 World Watch List shows that at least eight Christians, largely in Sub-Saharan Africa, die at the hands of persecutors (extremists, family members and state authorities) each day. Read More

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December 18, 2019

Tajikistan pastor surprised by early prison release—‘All these years, I felt your prayers’

On Wednesday, December 17,  at 10 am, imprisoned Tajikistan pastor Bahrom Kholmatov was freed—unexpectedly released three months early from a prison term set to end in March 2020. The Central Asian pastor says that while he was jailed, he felt the thousands of prayers for him. Read More

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December 6, 2018

5 Countries Where Christmas Is a Crime

For millions of believers, the celebration of Jesus entering the world must be a risk-laden secret Christmas. They know that there is a war on Christmas—and what that war really looks like. Read More

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