Significant persecution in Kyrgyzstan

Across much of Central Asia, and particularly in rural regions, Islamic values and traditions dominate the culture. Leaving Islam brings oppression from many quarters because it is seen as going against the culture of the nation. Official government bodies are almost entirely Muslim while there are reportedly two Christians within these bodies, experts believe this is to give the impression of religious freedom, rather than genuinely offering it.

“In Kyrgyzstan, the local authorities have considerable power and tend to be under the influence of the local Muslim community,” says Aibek, an Open Doors spokesperson for the region. This has strong repercussions for converts to Christianity.

For many Christians in Kyrgyzstan, persecution is a daily occurrence. They face discrimination in their local community and workplace. Some converts are locked up for long periods by their families and beaten. Local Islamic teachers preach against them and may cause them to be expelled from their communities.
 
Another example told by Open Doors contacts is that of a young man, Akim, and his twin sisters. They all started going to church after the death of their mother, while their Muslim father was in Russia for seasonal work. When he returned and found out that his children had become Christians, he started beating them regularly. The father forced the children to study and memorize extracts from the Quran and, if they did not, he threatened to break their bones and even kill them.
 
As persecution continues to rise, the country could rise from its current position on the World Watch List at number 59 and believers there need the prayer support of their worldwide family.
 
 
_{Source: Open Doors}