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
#38The law restricts religious freedom, and Christians face surveillance, raids, and arrests.
bottom“[My family] put me under house arrest and did not even let me go to school. Dad took my Bible and phone, and I could not speak with anyone."
– Guliya*
Country
Profile
- Region
- Central Asia
- Sources of persecution
- Dictatorial Paranoia
- Population
- 19,828,000
- Christian population
- 5,031,000
- Religions
- Islam
- Leader
- President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
- Score
- 68
What’s Life Like For Christians?
In Kazakhstan, religious freedom is heavily restricted by the country’s Religion Law, dating back to 2011. The government continually tightens its control over society, leading to increased surveillance, raids on meetings, and arrests. They use the threat of extreme Islam to justify these restrictions.
Russian Orthodox churches face fewer issues since they typically don’t engage with the Kazakhstani population. Indigenous Christians with a Muslim background suffer the most. They face persecution from both the state and their own families, friends, and communities. Some converts are locked up by their families, beaten, and eventually expelled from their communities. Local imams also preach against them, further isolating these 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?
Open Doors helps Christians in Central Asia who face persecution for their faith. They provide immediate aid and support by distributing literature, prayer, training, and various social and economic projects such as rehabilitation centres.
