Kyrgyzstan
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LIFE & LIBERTY |
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[edit] Geography
[edit] Location
Predominant Religions: Islam 78.1%, Christianity 7.8%
- The name Kyrgyz, both for the people as well as the nation, means “forty girls,” which is a reference to the epic legend of forty tribes uniting together in the ninth century to fight against the Mongols. A country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864 and was one of the first Russian republics to achieve independence from the Soviet Union in August 1991.
[edit] Climate
[edit] Natural Resources
[edit] Demographics
[edit] Peoples
- Russian 0,9 million
- Ukrainan 11,000
- German 10,000
- Kyrgyz 2,2 million; Etnopedia: Kyrgyz
- Uzbeki 0,5 million; Etnopedia: Usbek Northern
- Dungan (Hui) 38,000; Etnopedia: Hui
- Kazakh 37,000; Etnopedia: Kazakh
- Tajiki 34,000; Etnopedia: Tajik
- Tatar 70,000; Etnopedia: Tatar
[edit] Provinces
[edit] Life
- Bride kidnapping is widely perceived to be an ‘authentic Kyrgyz tradition.’ The practice has experienced a resurgence in popularity since the country’s separation from Russia in 1991. The young woman, usually below the age of 25, is forcibly taken from wherever she happens to be, sometimes by a complete stranger who saw and fancied her. The abduction can occur through force or deception, such as offering someone a ride home, then kidnapping them instead. At the home of the abductor, the groom, his friends, and his female relatives employ physical force and psychological coercion to compel the captured girl to agree to the marriage and submit to having the marriage scarf placed on her head – the sign that she consents to marry her abductor. If she resists, the process can last for hours or days. Sometimes she is raped prior to her consent in order to shame her to stay rather than go home disgraced. Like trafficking victims, abducted brides are victims of force, fraud, and coercion – tightly and often brutally controlled by their husbands. Cultural traditions reinforce community acceptance of this sex crime. It is estimated that up to one-third of all ethnic Kyrgyz women in Kyrgyzstan have been wedded in non-consensual bride kidnappings.
- The government of Kyrgyzstan takes a passive role in addressing this human rights violation, portraying bride-kidnapping as a harmless ritual and voluntary practice. Instead of attaining safety and access to justice, girls are encouraged to reconcile with their abusers. This failure to respond adequately to stop abduction for forced marriage constitutes a breach of the government’s obligations under various international human rights instruments.
[edit] Economy
- Poorest and smallest of the Central Asian Republics. The economic situation affects and depresses everyone. The elderly and handicapped suffer the most.
[edit] Government
[edit] Religion
- For centuries foreigners have ruled the Kyrgyz and imposed their religions — Turkic armies in the 17th Century brought Islam, and the Russians in the 19th brought Orthodoxy, then in the 20th imposed Communism.
- The Kyrgyz were first introduced to Islam during the seventeenth century, and within two hundred years, they had been completely converted to Islam. However, the conversion was superficial and influenced by earlier tribal customs. Today, most Kyrgyz still consider themselves to be Muslim, although in urban areas this is more a “cultural background” and less a firmly held belief. During a July 2007 interview, Bermet Akayeva, the daughter of former president Askar Akayev, stated that Islam is increasingly taking root in Kyrgyzstan. She emphasized that many mosques have been built and that the Kyrgyz are increasingly devoting themselves to the religion, which she noted is "not a bad thing in itself. It keeps our society more moral, cleaner." Spiritism continues its grip on the Kyrgyz. This is actual religion of the Kyrgyz. The ubiquitous shrines are more visible than mosques. Fear of the evil eye, use of amulets, the occult, shaman priests and demonization are widespread. Pray, that the dark spiritual forces that hold Kyrgyzstan in darkness to be banished, and that Jesus will reign as King over this land.
[edit] Islam
- The Kyrgyz are culturally Muslim, but practice and understanding of Islam is low. The Kyrgyz of the north are more influenced by Russian culture, but those in the south are more traditional. The 33 mosques in the country under Communism have multiplied to 120 buildings and 2,000+ prayer houses since 1991. Pakistani, Turkish and Saudi Arabian missionaries seek to strengthen Islamic institutions and commitment. A Kyrgyz becoming a Christian is seen as betrayal of ethnic identity and family cohesion.
[edit] Buddhism
[edit] Christianity
[edit] History
[edit] Churches
- Unprecedented opportunity to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Kyrgyz Church has grown from 20 believers in 1990 to over 5,000 in 2006. May the churches might become viable. Pray that the present harvest may continue. Pray down the barriers to faith.
- In the capital Bishkek there are about 50 Christian congregations, these churches have many different backgrounds, Russian, Korean, Kyrgyz and others.
[edit] Church and State Relations
- Urgent prayer is needed for Kyrgyzstan after the country’s parliament unanimously passed legislation on Thursday, November 6, 2008, to strengthen government control over religious groups, a move critics have attacked as a breach of international human rights standards. Proselytism would be strongly curtailed in the impoverished, mostly Muslim Central Asian nation under the bill, which President Kurmanbek Bakiyev is expected to sign into law. Faith organizations will be obliged to disclose financial information to the authorities and the bill requires religious organizations to have a minimum of 200 members whose identities have been confirmed by local authorities. The law includes a ban on private religious teaching at all levels of education—outlawing private religious schools. Zainidin Kurmanov, one of the lawmakers who proposed the bill, said the dissemination of religious literature in public places will also be prohibited.
- The measures are seen as a government attempt to quell concern about the influence of foreign Christian evangelical groups. Religious-freedom advocacy groups said the measures would violate Kyrgyz commitments on protecting human rights. “Many provisions of this law flatly contradict international human rights standards that the government has freely signed up to,” said Felix Corley, editor of Norway-based Forum 18 News Service. European Parliament members in late October 2008 signed a joint declaration with their Kyrgyz counterparts that stressed the need to respect freedom of conscience in spite of the increased risk of religious extremism.
- “This law makes it impossible for smaller churches to function legally,” Voice of the Martyrs CEO Glenn Penner said. “Even larger congregations will have difficulty getting 200 members to sign the necessary documents. History shows that these Believers have good reason to be nervous about registering their names with the government.”
- Pray for:
- The bill to be rejected by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.
- No other bills will be written that will threaten religious freedom in this land.
- God to give Christians in Kyrgyzstan strength and boldness (Acts 4:29-31). Pray for a strong Christian Church in Kyrgyzstan.
- The salvation of President Bakiyev and other government leaders- especially Zainidin Kurmanov, and all of the lawmakers who proposed this anti-religious – freedom bill.
- More Kyrgyz to learn the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in turn share His Light many times over with their friends and families.
- Revival to break out throughout the nation of Kyrgyzstan; with multiple thousands of new Believers coming to the LORD in the next 30 days, and for the new Believers to be properly discipled in the Faith.
[edit] Mission and church planting
- Southern Kyrgyzstan in a relatively unreached area among the local Kyrgyz. Pray that the Lord will give a break through in the face of strong opposition in this part of the country, and that people will overcome the fear of man that is keeping them from following Christ.
[edit] Broadcasting
[edit] Councils and Networks
[edit] Future Trends
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