Pray for Tajikistan

Known for its rugged beauty, Tajikistan is crowned with the Pamir and Alay mountains, which cover 93 percent of its terrain. With its sweltering summers and freezing winters, Tajikistan’s environment ranges from massive glaciers to lush valleys. Many Tajiks work as farmers and shepherds, relying on seasonal mountain pastures to raise sheep, goats, cattle, and horses. While agriculture accounts for roughly one-fourth of the country’s GDP, Tajiks also make a living from mining, while hundreds of thousands of men travel abroad for seasonal work. Although most Tajiks live in rural villages, more and more people are settling in the cities. These crowded cities are full of markets selling fresh spices, flatbreads, and colorful clothes.

With roughly 20 percent of the population living below the poverty line, Tajikistan is the poorest country in Central Asia. Prisoners, the elderly, widows, and orphans face the greatest risks. The country lacks education and business training, and many people are stuck in a cycle of poverty. Human rights violations are widespread, with an estimated 50 to 80 percent of women and children experiencing domestic violence or severe discrimination. Although many people are seeking change, they are often silenced by the government’s authoritarian control under President Emomali Rahmon. Journalists and activists who speak out against the government face intimidation, arrests, and censorship. All opposing political parties have been disbanded, and constitutional changes have removed term limits and allowed the President to hold power indefinitely.

Although there used to be Orthodox Christians in the nation under Soviet rule, many fled after the instability of the nation’s civil war. Many remaining Christians were nominal, with little desire to share the Gospel with indigenous peoples. For the 0.4 percent of Christians left in Tajikistan, freedom of religion exists — but barely. Churches must register, and those that gather illegally face the threat of beatings, discrimination, and ostracization. While the majority of Tajikistan’s people worship the God of Islam, they also look to the spirit world for their daily needs, trying to appease the spirits through charms and amulets. Despite this spiritual darkness, small house churches continue to grow quietly, providing discipleship and community for believers. Radio, digital media, and online Scripture resources are reaching people who have limited access to Christian communities.