UZBEKISTAN

After a secret police raid on her home, interrogations, death threats and a large fine in June, as well as a 15-day prison sentence for her father, Marina Kalinkina of Tashkent told Forum 18 News Service that secret police pressure has not let up. On July 11th, secret police officers again interrogated her about what they claim was illegal religious activity as part of her work for Bridge of Friendship, a registered charity she leads. One officer told her that if she dared to complain about her treatment to international organizations it would only make things worse for her. Begzot Kadyrov of the government's religious affairs committee defended the secret police actions, claiming Kalinkina is using her charitable work as an opportunity to preach. "In other words, she is doing the work of an unregistered religious organization, and that is forbidden under Uzbek law," he told Forum 18.

Pray Jesus will encourage Marina Kalinkina with the knowledge He is Lord over all circumstances. Pray God will give her the mind of Christ as she faces interrogation and threats. Pray the Holy Spirit will move in power throughout Uzbekistan and many Muslims will surrender their lives Christ.

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

On August 13th, Forum 18 News Service Central Asia Correspondent, Igor Rotar, was deported from Uzbekistan's Tashkent Airport. According to his account, Rotar was detained for two days at the airport by representatives of Uzbek authorities who initially tried to force him to leave the country "voluntarily" at his own expense, thus avoiding an official deportation. Rotar said his detention began August 11th, when his name came up on a computer list of "undesirable" persons that was compiled by the Uzbek National Security Service secret police. At the airport he was isolated in an area where there was a telephone but he was not allowed to contact anyone, even the embassy of his own country, Russia. Uzbek law allows a detained foreigner the right to contact his embassy. When Rotar refused to leave voluntarily, he was given an official order that did not state the reason for his deportation but stated, "Entry to the Republic of Uzbekistan closed." Forum 18 News Service stated, "The Uzbek government has thus unintentionally shown how religious freedom is an excellent 'litmus test' of the state of human rights in any society. It has also caused world attention to be focused once more on the very serious human rights abuses committed by the Uzbek government."

Pray God will use this unfavorable publicity to lighten the Uzbek government's restrictions on religious freedom in their country. Pray Jesus will reveal to Igor Rotar His plans for his future.Pray for all Uzbeks caught in the bondage of Islam with no knowledge of our merciful God.

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

The persecution of Protestants continues throughout Uzbekistan, says Igor Rotar, writing for Forum 18 News Service. Recent incidents reported to Forum 18 include the interrogation of a group of 40 Protestants for 18 days, the unlawful imposition of a fine for "security" on one woman, Protestants in a café being ordered by police to state they were in an unauthorized religious meeting, and nine Pentecostals at a social gathering whose permitted religious literature was confiscated (including copies of the New Testament). Fines were also imposed. Christian lawyer Islander Najafov told Forum 18, "No one can prevent people from visiting each other and talking about religious issues!"

Pray God will strengthen and embolden His followers in Uzbekistan. Pray God will direct them exactly when to be subject to the authorities and when to be obedient to His authority. Pray the willingness of Christians to tell of their daily walk with the Lord will lead many to Christ.

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

In late April, police officers from Uzbekistan's criminal investigation department burst into the home of a Protestant pastor in northwest Uzbekistan, disrupting 12 people as they were having lunch together. The pastor and another believer were charged with "breaking the laws on teaching religion." The April 24th raid in Urgench, a city in the Khorezm region near the Turkmen border, targeted the house of Pastor Lunkin Sergey of the Union of Independent Churches. In a separate incident, three Christians in Tashkent were arrested on April 21st, while visiting and helping feed patients at a tuberculosis hospital for children. One of them was charged with violating administrative laws against teaching religion. During the past 12 months, Uzbekistan police and judicial authorities have stepped up pressures against Protestant Christians, and even government-registered churches are under heightened scrutiny.

Pray God will give Uzbek Christians a fearless confidence in their Savior. Pray for a miracle from our omnipotent Creator to bring peace and justice to Uzbekistan. Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit among those in positions of authority to turn them to the One who loves them and wants them to know eternal peace.

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Uzbekistan intends to impose massive fines and jail people and the leaders of their religious communities for sharing their beliefs outside places of worship. The proposals were made at an August 4th meeting of religious leaders, called by the state Religious Affairs Committee. Those attending the meeting were representatives of state-registered religious organizations, including the Spiritual Administration of Muslims in Uzbekistan, the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Central Asia, the Catholic Church in Tashkent, the Jewish community, the Baptist Union and the Full Gospel Church. All unregistered religious activity is illegal in Uzbekistan. The state Religious Affairs Committee told the religious leaders that they and their clergy must stop their members and those who regularly attend places of worship from sharing their beliefs with anyone outside their churches. The fine for sharing their beliefs would be between 200 and 600 times the minimum monthly salary. Persistent proselytizing would impose jail sentences between three and eight years on them and their religious leaders. Leaders of religious communities are fearful of openly attacking the proposals because of the danger of reprisals against their communities by the authorities. There is currently a crackdown on religious believers of many faiths taking place in Uzbekistan.

Pray all Christians will be emboldened to obey God rather than man. Pray their witness will confound the authorities as they see the power of Jesus through the life of His followers. Pray our merciful God will bless thousands of people in Uzbekistan with every spiritual blessing in the knowledge of Christ their Savior.

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

During the past month, The Voice of the Martyrs has stepped in to help Christians in Uzbekistan who have suffered arrests, imprisonment, torture and deportation at the hands of police. VOM recently received information from inside Uzbekistan that two leaders from Bethany Church were deported. On September 5th, Pastor Sergey Khripunov and his family were taken under police escort to the airport in Tashkent, where they will be flown to Moscow, Russia, to live. They were stripped of their Uzbek citizenship and deported for practicing their Christian faith. Ivan Bychkov, another pastor of Bethany Church, and his family were expelled for the same reason on August 11th. They are now living under very poor conditions in Moscow. VOM contacts also report that 27 Christians were arrested on August 28th, in the city of Termez in Southern Uzbekistan, for their involvement in illegal religious activities. Six of the believers were severely beaten by police and then held up to six days in jail until the marks left from the torture disappeared from their bodies. At the time of his release, the eye of Khusan Pirimov was still red from the beatings. The names of the other five who suffered harsh abuse are, Azamat Radjapov, Abdusattor Kurbanov, Laziz Umarov, Yesimdjohn Mamadjanov and Yurij Stefanko (a Ukrainian citizen from Kiev).

Pray the Lord will quickly heal the bodies, minds and spirits of those who were beaten so severely. Pray the refugees will be encouraged and strengthened by the help they receive from their brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray God will move in power to protect Christians in Uzbekistan from any more abuse from the authorities.

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Court Fines Baptists and Burns Bibles - Forum 18
On October 25, following a raid on a Baptist church in the southern Uzbek town of Karshi, two visiting Baptists were given massive fines (45 times the country's minimum monthly salary) each for participating in unregistered religious worship. Four local church members were given smaller fines. The court ordered Bibles and hymnals confiscated during the raid to be burnt, a regular official practice. Pray for patience and perseverance for these Uzbek Christians. James 1:12

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Pastor Arrested by Secret Police in Uzbekistan - VOM Sources/ Compass Direct News
A pastor was arrested by Uzbek secret police on January 21. During the raid of the Full Gospel Church in Andijan, secret service officers asked Pastor Dmitry Shestakov to step outside with them for five minutes. They then escorted him to the nearest police station. At last report, he was still in police custody. The pastor is accused of "incitement of national, racial and religious enmity," under Article 156 of Uzbekistan's penal code. He could face up to five years in prison if convicted of this charge. Pray God will give this Christian brother the right words to say when he stands before accusing authorities. Pray the Holy Spirit will bring his neighbors, friends and persecutors to Christ through his faithful witness.Romans 12:14, 21

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Uzbekistan Authorities Admit Arrest of Protestant Pastor – Compass Direct News
Uzbekistan's religious authorities admitted for the first time this week that an Uzbek pastor was arrested last month in the Eastern city of Andijan and now faces criminal charges. Dmitry Shestakov was arrested in a raid on his registered Full Gospel Church during Sunday worship services on January 21. The pastor was charged with operating an illegal religious organization, inciting religious hatred and distributing materials promoting religious extremism. If convicted on these charges, he faces maximum sentences from five to ten years in prison for each separate offense. Matthew 5: 43-48

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Church Raided; Literature Confiscated - VOM Sources
VOM sources report police burst into a church in Qarshi ("Karshy") on February 25, 2007, confiscated literature and demanded to know who was funding the church. Police also brought video cameras to video tape the worship service. When police started to film, Pastor Sergei Shandyvayev did not panic, but simply continued the worship service. After the service finished, the officers shut the doors and began to question the believers gathered there, especially asking why they had become Christians. Pastor Shandyvayev's church is not registered with the Uzbek government. The Christians expected to be summoned to court for a hearing. Pray God gives Christians in this area wisdom and protection as they face persecution. Pray they might even have opportunities to witness to police and court officers as they are questioned. 1 Corinthians 13:6-7
Update on Pastor Dmitry Shestakov - VOM Sources
On March 1, 2007, the hearing of Pastor Shestakov's case continued in an Uzbek courthouse. He is still in prison awaiting sentencing. VOM sources reported, "The Uzbek judicial system tried to preclude David's defense attorney from the case, but he still took the case and is defending him in court." Shestakov was arrested in a raid on his registered Full Gospel Church during Sunday worship services on January 21. He was charged with operating an illegal religious organization, inciting religious hatred and distributing materials promoting religious extremism. Pray God protects and comforts Pastor Shestakov and his family while he is in prison. Ask for the charges against him to be dropped. Psalm 5:11-12

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

UPDATE: Pastor Sentenced to Four Years in Exile - VOM Sources
On Friday, March 9, Pastor Dmitry Shestakov was sentenced to four years in exile. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in Uzbekistan, the location to which he will be exiled has not been determined. It is not clear if his family will be able to go with him. In January, Pastor Shestakov was arrested in a raid on his congregation in Andijan, which is affiliated with the registered Full Gospel Church. Uzbekistan's Religious Affairs Committee claims Shestakov, an evangelical pastor, is not an authorized leader of any officially recognized religious organization in Uzbekistan. They describe him as an "imposter" leading an underground group identified as "Charismatic Pentecostals," engaged in proselytizing under Shestakov's leadership. Pray for Pastor Shestakov and his family as he faces this sentence. Pray the gospel work in Andijan will continue and grow. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Pastor Appeals Sentence - VOM Sources/Forum 18 News
Pastor Dmitry Shestakov has appealed his four-year work-camp sentence. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, Pastor Shestakov's family will be permitted to go with him to one of Uzbekistan's open work camps. Forum 18 News reported that in imposing its verdict, the court said it would be impossible to "re-educate" Shestakov without isolating him from society. Forum has also reported that prison administration has banned Pastor Shestakov from kneeling to pray and his New Testament has been confiscated. In exchange, he has been offered the Koran to read. He remains imprisoned in Andijan until his appeal is heard. Pray Pastor Shestakov's appeal is successsful and for God to comfort his family. Psalm 41:2-3

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Imprisoned Pastor Transferred to Harsher Camp – Forum 18 News/ VOM Sources
Imprisoned Pentecostal pastor, Dmitry Shestakov, has been transferred to a harsher labor camp in Navoi, Uzbekistan. The new camp is a longer distance from his wife and three children. In May 2007, Shestakov was sentenced to four years in an open work camp, in Andijan, for "religious activity." Christians in Uzbekistan told Forum 18 News, "The authorities claim he misbehaved in the open work camp and that’s why they ordered his transfer to a harsher camp. We believe this was deliberately set up." Forum 18 News reports that Pastor Shestakov’s transfer comes as authorities prepare administrative trials against members of his congregation in his home town of Andijan in the Fergana Valley in eastern Uzbekistan. Pray for Pastor Shestakov and his family. Ask God to watch over them during this difficult time. Psalm 32:7, Psalm 91:14-16

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Church to Lose Building and Legal Status - Forum 18 News
Grace Presbyterian Church in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, may lose its church building and legal status after authorities filed a lawsuit aimed at annulling the sale of the building. Forum 18 News reports, "Grace Presbyterian Church, led by Pastor Felix Li, bought a former cinema in Tashkent's Khamza District in April 1999 from the city department of the State Property Committee. However, on July 24, 2007, the same department lodged the complaint to annul the sale. On August 13, 'without warning,' Justice Ministry officials arrived for a check-up on the church's financial activity, and whether its activity as a whole is in accordance with the church's statute. If violations are found, the church could be stripped of legal status and the right to conduct any religious activity." Christians in the area believe the "church check-up" is a step towards revoking legal status. Meanwhile, Forum 18 also reported, "Police in Uzbekistan have launched a manhunt for Pentecostal pastor, Masket Djabbaebergenov, who went into hiding after a criminal case was launched against him in early August to punish him for his religious activity." If convicted, the pastor could spend up to six year in prison. Pray for Christians in Uzbekistan. Ask God to protect and provide for Grace Presbyterian Church and Pastor Masket, who is in hiding. Joshua 1:9, Psalm 91

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Crackdown on Christians – Forum 18 News
According to Forum 18 News, several Christians were recently arrested or fined.
On August 27, Sharofat Allamova received a suspended sentence of six months in central Bhukara. This was after police confiscated literature from her in June. Allamova was prosecuted under article 244-3 of the Criminal Code, which punishes "illegal production, storage, import or distribution of religious materials."
On August 28, Pastor Khyn-Mun Kimi and a colleague were fined about one month's salary for "illegal" religious activity in Karakalpakstan.
In an unrelated incident, a group of Protestants in the Southern region of Uzbekistan were detained after they "illegally" met for worship. Police confiscated religious literature and 12 of the believers face impending charges.
Pray Christians in Uzbekistan will remain steadfast in their faith despite pressure from the government. Ask God to touch the lives of authorities in Uzbekistan. Isaiah 54:14, Psalm 91

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.