PRAY FOR KAZAKHSTAN
– That God will protect Christians who convert from Islam.
– For safety for church leaders who are monitored by the government
– That more believers will have access to Bibles to help them grow in their faith.
WORLD WATCH LIST
Kazakhstan
#47The law restricts religious freedom, and Christians face surveillance, raids, and arrests.
bottom“It is very difficult for me to endure the persecution within the family. But over the years, God has done so much, I have seen so many miracles.”
– Samil, Central Asia.
Country
Profile
- Region
- Central Asia
- Sources of persecution
- Dictatorial Paranoia
- Population
- 19,407,000
- Christian population
- 4,859,000
- Religions
- Islam
- Leader
- President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
- Score
- 65
What’s Life Like For Christians?
Like many other countries in Central Asia, Kazakhstan creates many challenges for believers. Religious freedom in the country has been under constant threat since legislation was introduced in 2011 that gave the government significant control over religion. For Christians, this means increased surveillance, raids on meetings, arrests, and imprisonment.
Any church outside of the Russian Orthodox Church (mostly tolerated as long as it doesn’t try to share the gospel with Muslims) is in constant danger of intense monitoring and crackdowns from the state authorities.
Converts from Islam suffer the harshest persecution. They can be locked up by their families, beaten, and eventually kicked out of their communities, leaving them without resources or relationships. Local religious leaders also preach against converts.
Christians across Kazakhstan often report discrimination and difficulty in earning a living. In some parts of the country, certain Christian businesses are expected to pay bribes to stay open. This extortion drives some business owners to keep their faith a secret. Some believers also lose their jobs, particularly if they are church leaders.
Who Is Most Vulnerable To Persecution?
Persecution in Kazakhstan is strongest for converts from Islam and for church leaders. Additionally, pressure on converts is higher in rural areas. Because men are regarded as the head of the family by the surrounding culture, Christian men in Kazakhstan can be targeted as a way to get to the family and the Christian community—especially church leaders. If a male church leader is interrogated or imprisoned, fear ripples across the Christian community in that area.
What Does Open Doors Do To Help?
Persecution in Kazakhstan is strongest for converts from Islam and for church leaders. Additionally, pressure on converts is higher in rural areas. Because men are regarded as the head of the family by the surrounding culture, Christian men in Kazakhstan can be targeted as a way to get to the family and the Christian community—especially church leaders. If a male church leader is interrogated or imprisoned, fear ripples across the Christian community in that area.
