Uzbekistan
May 26th

“Uzbekistan, be blessed to inherit the kingdom of heaven!”

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(Matthew 5:3,NIV)

》 Country Profile

Continent | Central Asia
Population | 31.1 million
Area | 447,440㎢ Located on the inland center of Central Asia below Kazakhstan
Capital City | Tashkent (2.57 million people)
People Groups | Total 59 groups, Uzbeks 81.2%, Tajiks 5%, Kazakhs 2.5%, Russians 2.3%, Karakalpaks 2.2%, Kyrgyz 1.5%, Tatars 1.2%, Turkmens 0.8%, Koreans 0.7%
People Groups Unreached | 34 (96.4% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Uzbek
Total Languages | 57
Bible Translations | Completed 36, New Testament 11, Partial 6
Religion | Christian 2.3% (Protestant 0.2%, Orthodox 1.9%), Muslims 83.3%, Non-religious 14.2% Evangelicals 0.2% 57,000 people

》 About Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan came under Turkish rule in the 7th century and Arab domination in the 8th century. In the late 19th century, it was invaded by the Russian Empire, becoming a part of Russian Turkestan in 1867. The Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic(USSR) was established in 1924 and became part of the Soviet Union in 1925. Uzbekistan gained independence in 1991 after the collapse of the USSR. Islam Karimov, the first president following independence, ruled with authoritarian control until his death in 2016. His regime was marked by human rights abuses, including torture in prisons, arbitrary arrests, and lack of fair trials. Freedoms of expression, press, assembly, civil society activity, religion, and migration were all heavily restricted. Notably, in 2005, the government violently suppressed protests in Andijan, killing between 500 and 2,500 people. Shavkat Mirziyoyev succeeded Karimov in 2016, initiating extensive reforms to improve relations with neighboring countries and introduce economic, judicial, and social changes. Mirziyoyev was re-elected in 2021, continuing these efforts.

Economically, Uzbekistan has long been a major producer of cotton, ranking fifth globally in exports and seventh in production. However, intensive cotton and grain farming during the Soviet era led to environmental degradation, including pesticide overuse and the drying up of the Aral Sea. Since 2017, reforms have promoted industries like agriculture, textiles, and automotive production, fostering economic growth. However, corruption remains a significant issue, and many citizens struggle to sustain their livelihoods. A substantial number of young men migrate to Russia for employment opportunities. Uzbekistan also serves as a key transit point for large-scale drug trafficking routes from Afghanistan to Russia and Europe. Uzbekistan’s GDP per capita is approximately $7,000.

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. After Uzbekistan’s independence, numerous missionaries entered the country to share the gospel. Workers for the church were trained at a united seminary established by missionaries. Church leaders returning after studying abroad formed a church federation. Christians in Uzbekistan are predominantly from minority groups, such as Russians, Armenians, and Koreans, most of whom belong to Orthodox denominations. Among them, about 57,000 are evangelical Christians. While the government shows some leniency toward minority churches, it persecutes ethnic Uzbek converts. Uzbekistan ranked 21st in the 2022 World Watch List for Christian persecution. Despite restrictions preventing official church registration, a grassroots house church movement has emerged. Regional house churches collaborate through the Uzbek House Church Union to provide mutual support. In a nation plagued by dictatorship, corruption, and economic hardship, the gospel remains the only hope. Pray for persecuted believers to find comfort in the Lord and inherit the land with meekness.

2. During the authoritarian rule of the previous president, Christian persecution intensified. Foreign missionaries were expelled, often unprepared, leaving churches in disarray. Despite these challenges, leaders who endured organized efforts to unify the churches. Since the new president’s leadership began in 2017, some expelled missionaries have returned, and new ones have arrived. The government appears to grant more religious freedom, though public distribution of evangelistic materials remains illegal. Christians risk arrest and interrogation for possessing or reading the Bible, even digitally. Churches and missionaries continue to face fines and short-term detentions. Denominational leaders in Uzbekistan are striving for unity among churches and are training a new generation of leaders. Pray for churches and missionaries enduring persecution to remain steadfast and joyful, witnessing the gospel despite opposition.

3. Approximately 81% of Uzbekistan’s population follows a blend of folk Islam, influenced by superstition, as part of their cultural identity. Tashkent is a hub for Islamic organizations, monitored closely by the government. Additionally, churches and missionaries preaching the gospel have been monitored and imprisoned. And while converts face retaliation, the number of converts has continued to grow, surpassing 10,000. Most converts and churches are in urban areas, but the gospel needs to reach rural communities across the nation. The Karakalpak people in the Aral Sea region, though predominantly Sunni Muslims, have seen remarkable church growth in recent years, despite widespread church closures by the government. Underground house churches have become the primary means of spreading the gospel. Workers are needed to bring the gospel to other ethnic groups such as Tajiks, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and Tatars. A small Korean minority, supported by Korean missionaries, serves as a bridge for the gospel to reach various ethnic groups. Pray for pure-hearted and peace-making missionaries and churches to show compassion and be witnesses of the gospel in Uzbekistan.

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