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3rd September 2010 |
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Pray for Kyrgyzstan
Population 5.4 Million with 28 people per sq km Religion 75% Muslim 10% Christian Positives Central Asian state in Tien Shan mountain range bordering on China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Over 80 ethnic groups. Independent of Russia in 1991. President Askar Akaev instituted free market reforms and a measure of democracy. A secular state with a high degree of religious freedom despite Muslim and Orthodox pressures to restrict this. The growth of the Kyrgyz church from about 20 believers in 1990 to over 3,200 in 2000.
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Prayer needs 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 are culturally Muslim, but practice and understanding of Islam is low, but a Kyrgyz becoming a Christian is seen as betrayal of ethnic identity and family cohesion. Culturally relevant and appropriate means need to be found and used. Muslims and Orthodox react strongly against high-profile outreach. Many Kyrgyz are held back from faith through fear of alienation from families and negative propaganda. Pray for wisdom for the Church leaders.
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