Tajikistan

New legal restrictions introduced in 2011 are likely to increase pressure on the church. In August, a new Parental Responsibility Law was introduced which prohibits children under the age of 18 from participating in any religious activities except funerals. Although not particularly aimed against Christians, it will have a great impact on youth and children’s activities. Parents disobeying this law face heavy fines and prison sentences of up to 8 years. Amendments to the Criminal Code were also adopted, which punish with lengthy prison terms those participating in unauthorized ‘extremist religious’ teaching.

Pray:

• Converts from Islam come under pressure from family and society to renounce their faith. Pray for perseverance
• More than half of the population is under 18. Pray that young people will have the opportunity to hear the gospel despite the new laws
• The import and distribution of Christian literature is very restricted. Pray that God’s people will have access to the Bible.