AFWIS Joins Operation World in Prayer for the Republic of Tajikistan - Asia

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)

Home > Nov 15: Tajikistan

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Nov 15: Tajikistan

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Tajikistan

Republic of Tajikistan

Asia

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 143,100 sq km
Bordering on Afghanistan, China, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The Pamir and Tien-Shan Mountains are 93% of the surface area.
Population: 7,074,845    Annual Growth: 1.60%
Capital: Dushanbe
Urbanites: 26.5%
HDI Rank: 127 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 46 (59% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Tajik    Languages: 33 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Muslim

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	73,578	1.04	-2.2
Evangelicals	6,952	0.1	6.9
Muslim	6,645,402	93.93

Challenges for Prayer

Although Islam is the religion of 94% of the population, only a small fraction practice “pure” Islam. Most are more influenced by folk superstitions and Zoroastrian beliefs. Mosques sprouted up everywhere in the years following independence, but now the government places severe restrictions on mosque building. Tajikistan’s proximity to Iran and Afghanistan makes it vulnerable to Islamism. Pray for extremism to be restrained, and that Muslims might have unprecedented opportunities to discover Christ.
Freedom of religion exists, but barely. The government, to prevent the growth of extremism in Islam, introduced many restrictions that place a stranglehold on Christian ministry. Religious teaching, publishing and proselytism is made very difficult if not illegal. Registering churches is also very difficult. Pray for the gospel to spread and Christians to find ways to teach and minister despite these harsh restrictions.
     For an additional 7 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Tajikistan.