UZBEKISTAN in Central Asia is one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world. It has a population of nearly 28 million, 88% of which are Muslims (mostly Sunnis) and 9% are Eastern Orthodox. More than 10% of its area consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys while more than 60% of its population live in densely populated rural communities. Uzbekistan is the world’s second-largest cotton exporter and fifth largest producer. It relies heavily on cotton production as a major source of export earnings.
During the Soviet era, intensive production of “white gold” (cotton) and grain led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies, which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain rivers half dry. Water pollution from industrial wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human health disorders in the country. Since independence in 1991, the country seeks to gradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing its mineral and petroleum reserves. However, the government’s imposition of a command economy with strict price and currency controls continue to stifle economic activity.
More than one-and-a-half years has passed since the government suppression of the popular uprising in Andijan. Since that event, the politics of Uzbekistan have turned, and the government has begun a new period of heavy persecution agianst the Christians. The people in Uzbekistan consider Christians as followers of a western religion or members of an extremist sect. In 2006 many expatriate Christian workers were deported from Uzbekistan. In June of that year, the government launched a new law that punishes printing of religious books with three years in prison. Christians from an Islamic background in remote parts of the country also encounter resistance from fundamentalist Muslims and are put under pressure to return to their former faith. They are publicly humiliated and hounded out of their homes and jobs for converting to Christianity. According to Open Doors International, Uzbekistan is one of the countries where the situation for Christians deteriorated.
Pray for Uzbekistan. Pray that the government shall have the wisdom to seek a more balanced approach to managing the economy. Pray for sustainable development of natural gas, petroleum and other minerals. Pray that foreign investment will pour into the country. Pray for the abatement of persecution against Christians. Above all, pray that the Christians will receive grace to stand firm in their faith.
COMOROS is geographically very different from Uzbekistan. It is made up of a group of islands (three main islands of Grande Comore, Anjouan and Moheli and others) situated about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique in South Africa.
Its small population is predominantly Sunni Muslim. Roman Catholics make up 2% of the population.
Comoros has its own set of problems of which political instability is one. Since gaining independence from France in 1975, the nation has endured 19 coups or attempted coups. In December 2001, voters approved a new constitution and presidential elections took place in the spring of 2002. Each island in the archipelago elected its own president and a new union president took office in May 2002.
The economy poses another problem as Comoros is one of the world’s poorest countries. The unemployment rate is 20% while 60% of the population live below the poverty line. The country has few natural resources and the education level is low. The country imports rice, its staple food and depends heavily on foreign aid. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP.
The situation for Christians also deteriorated in Comoros in 2007. In May four men were sentenced to prison for being involved with Christianity. Three of them were arrested when the police barged into a Christian meeting place that a young Christian convert from Islam had been forced to show them. They were brought to court and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. During the trial, Muslim fundamentalists allegedly demanded that the accused be killed for the “crime” of being involved with Christianity. Two of them have reportedly endured physical and verbal abuse.
Pray for Comoros. Pray for wisdom as the government seeks to upgrade education and technical training, privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports, promote tourism, and reduce the high population growth rate. Pray for more foreign investment. Pray for religious freedom for everyone. Pray that the Christians will stand firm.
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