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UZBEKISTAN Fall 2007
Uzbekistan Today
Today around 20 million Uzbeks live in Uzbekistan, while more than six million are dispersed in large Uzbek communities in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. They are a Turkic people, with a proud history dating back before the Middle Ages. At that time, the Great Silk Road stretched from Istanbul across Central Asia through Uzbek lands to China, and was traveled by countless camel caravans carrying spices and silk. It was also at this time that Islam took root in Central Asia, and became not just a religious belief system among Uzbeks, but an identity. Although Uzbeks were stripped of cultural privileges during Soviet reign, they have nevertheless maintained and embraced their ethnic heritage. Even modern Uzbeks are proud of their people's history and culture.
Nowadays, drug traffic is more common on the Great Silk Road than Uzbek silk. But imagine a different picture—a picture of the gospel traveling through Central Asia across this ancient trade route. It is already happening in many ways. Currently there are an estimated 5,000 believers across Uzbekistan. These are searching Scripture and encouraging one another to model their personal and family life on biblical principles. Others, however are alone or meet in very small groups, because there are no other believers near them or because they fear cultural and political persecution.
In recent days, in spite of increased persecution—or perhaps in part due to the persecution—the Uzbek church has begun to unite in prayer and for training. The church has also begun to take the gospel to Uzbeks outside of their homeland. Praise God for the birth of the Uzbek missionary force, traveling old highways with the message of new life!
Pray for the Uzbeks
- Ask God to anoint Uzbek believers with his power as they seek to take the gospel to unreached villages in Uzbekistan as well as other countries surrounding them.
- Governmental antagonism toward foreigners living and working in Uzbekistan has increased over the past few years, with humanitarian aid agencies being denied visas and several organizations shutting down. Ask that remaining workers find favor with officials and continue to live with joy and hope, regardless of external circumstances.
- Pray for God to call more laborers—particularly men—to respond to numerous opportunities to start work among Uzbeks living in southern Kazakhstan. Ask his continued blessings on the small team currently living there.
- Pray for Uzbek believers to stand strong in the Lord. Some are tempted to slip back into their old lives. Ask the Father to mercifully rescue them.
Learn more about the peoples of the former Soviet Union
Kazakhs :: Kyrgyz :: Muslims of Moscow :: Tatar :: Turkmen :: Uzbek