Turkmenistan

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The government of Turkmenistan is one of the worst persecutors of Christians in the world. Only the Russian Orthodox Church and government-sanctioned Sunni Islam have been permitted to obtain official registration. According to a former Turkmen foreign minister, “every believer is controlled”. The President tolerates no dissent and controls the country through the National Security Committee, the KNB (former KGB). He believes that religion is something bad that has to be controlled. As a result, Turkmenistan has the most repressive policy towards religion of all the former Soviet republics.

The relatively small population of this vast desert country situated in Central Asia, are wandering in a spiritual wilderness left there by years of oppression. A sense of hopelessness prevails among the people. Believer’s meetings, considered illegal, are often disrupted. Christian leaders are imprisoned and threatened with the loss and confiscation of their belongings. Believers and their families are intimidated. KNB spies are rife, infiltrating all aspects and levels of society. Amid all this, Christ is bringing hope and life to people. Many Christian believers remain strong, despite the intense persecution. When persecuted Christians are asked what other believers can do for them, the number one request is, “Will you pray for me?”

Crackdowns in Turkmenistan

Here is one example of a recent crackdown against Christians. When investigating a car wreck the police the found a box of Christian videos dubbed in the Turkmen language. The Turkmen Christian believers in the accident were subjected to repeated beatings, electric shocks and other forms of torture while under interrogation. Finally in the judge’s decision concerning this case, he allowed the believers released from prison sentences, in exchange for oppressive fines. They were forced to sign a statement declaring that they “voluntarily” donate everything they owned as a “gift to the President”. All their identity documents, as well as the ownership papers of their homes and cars, were confiscated.

Let us join together with our brothers and sisters and pray that the “God of peace will soon crush Satan underneath their feet” (Romans 16:20). A Turkmen national, after visiting a nation which is influenced by Christian values, has said, “Now I know what freedom really is”. Let us continue to pray that the Spirit of Christ will set more people free in Turkmenistan.

Pray for the Muslims in Turkmenistan:

* May God open doors for Christians to go and serve the Turkmen people in ways that will enable this nation to be fruitful and prosperous.

* May Muslims come into a saving relationship with our heavenly Father through the risen Christ (John 17:1-3).

* Pray for the authorities of Turkmenistan including all the men who hold places of authority: from political leaders to their local authorities, policemen, Imams, etc (1 Tim. 2:1-5).

* Pray for the protection for the believers and for boldness to share with other Turkmen concerning the great treasure that they have found.

Background on Turkmenistan (World Factbook)

Annexed by Russia between 1865 and 1885, Turkmenistan became a Soviet republic in 1924. It achieved its independence upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. President Saparmurat NIYAZOV retains absolute control over the country and opposition is not tolerated. Extensive hydrocarbon/natural gas reserves could prove a boon to this underdeveloped country if extraction and delivery projects were to be expanded. The Turkmenistan Government is actively seeking to develop alternative petroleum transportation routes in order to break Russia’s pipeline monopoly.

Economy of Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is a largely desert country with intensive agriculture in irrigated oases and large gas and oil resources. One-half of its irrigated land is planted in cotton; formerly it was the world’s 10th-largest producer. Poor harvests in recent years have led to an almost 50% decline in cotton exports. With an authoritarian ex-Communist regime in power and a tribally based social structure, Turkmenistan has taken a cautious approach to economic reform.

About Turkmenistan

Population: 5,179,571 (July 2008 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth: 68.6 years

Ethnic groups: Turkmen 85%, Uzbek 5%, Russian 4%, other 6%

Religions: Muslim 89%, Eastern Orthodox 9%, unknown 2%

Languages: Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7%

Literacy: 98.8% — Male: 99.3%, Female: 98.3%