Day 3 - Crimean Tatar

Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, lies in a great oasis along the Chirhik River in the foothills of the Tian Sahn Mountains. One of the oldest cities in Central Asia, Tahskent was a significant rest stop and trading center from the times of ancient past. Although half the people in Tashkent are Uzbek, the city is home to Russian, Tajik, Kazakh, Karakalpak and Korean ethnic minorities.


The Uzbek proverb, "A guest is more honorable than your father", reveals a few things about the country. First, hospitality is a high virtue. As they say, "What is a house for, if not for receiving guests? We must care for all these who God brings to our door". Second, the proverb tells us that family is greatly values. Parents are highly regarded, and children are expected to take care of them as long as they live.

There are very few believers in Tashkent. Only a small fraction of the Muslim majority has ever had the opportunity to believe. Evangelizing Muslims is prohibited and efforts to change religion are discouraged both publicly and privately. Evangelism or missionary activity can earn three yeas in prison. Some Christians have been imprisoned, but they are winning many converts while in prison.


We can PRAY:

*Pray for Christians who are under pressure to betray fellow believers to the authorities. Pray too for those persecuted and in prison, that God may give them strength and boldness.

*Tashkent is preparing for a church planting movement by training believers. Pray that each of the city's 11 districts will be evangelized.

*Pray that the Church would go forth from Tashkent and be a healing agent throughout Central Asia.


Information taken from 30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus Frontiers Addition and Operation World