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Published: Wednesday 14 April 2010

Pray for peace in Kyrgyzstan

Project(s): 26-849

Country: Kyrgyzstan

A bloody uprising in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, has left the country in a precarious position. Violence broke out on Tuesday 6 April after weeks of dissatisfaction over rising prices and allegations of corruption. At least 75 people have been killed and up to 1,500 injured in the clashes. Widespread looting of businesses and government premises has occurred throughout the capital. Christians are giving practical help in this chaotic situation.

Mr Bakiyev, the country’s President, was forced to flee the city, insisting that he would not resign and saying that any attempts to arrest him would result in “a great deal of bloodshed which no-one will be able to justify”. However on 13 April it was reported that he had said he would resign if his safety and that of his family could be guaranteed. President Bakiyev came to power five years ago during the Tulip Revolution, when then-President Akayev was overthrown.

An interim government headed by Rosa Otunbayeva, an opposition politician, has been established and a degree of calm has returned to the city, with police patrolling the streets.

Three days after the turmoil began, Barnabas Aid’s coordinator for the Former Soviet Union reported that Christian church leaders in Kyrgyzstan were gathering for prayer and action. Groups of Christians are visiting hospitals, caring for the wounded, assisting with cleaning the streets and helping to restore damaged public buildings. They also organised four days of prayer and fasting for their country, from 9 to 12 April. This week, three churches each day are fasting in response to the situation.

Kyrgyzstan is a small and very poor state in Central Asia. As a republic of the Soviet Union it was under communist rule for many decades, but gained independence when the Soviet Union broke up in 1991. The majority of the population is Muslim (approximately 85%), with Christians making up less than 10%, most of whom are non-Kyrgyz. The church in Kyrgyzstan is small but it is growing. According to the US Department of State 2009 International Religious Freedom Report, the government of Kyrgyzstan is worried about inroads by jihadist groups, and there have been periodic outbreaks of fighting in the south. Christians, especially those who have converted from Islam, face severe pressure and threats from family and local communities, particularly in the south.

Barnabas Aid supports a number of projects in Kyrgyzstan to help our Christian brothers and sisters as they seek to maintain their worship and witness in the face of restrictive religion laws and the current explosive situation in the country.

If you would like to donate to help our work with Christians in Kyrgyzstan please send your donation to project 26-849 (Kyrgyzstan General Fund).

Donate Today:

If you would like to make a gift to help Christians in Kyrgyzstan, please click to donate online using our secure server (Please quote project reference 26-849).

If you prefer to telephone, dial: 0800 587 4006 from within the UK or +44 1672 565031 from outside the UK. Please quote project reference 26-849.

If you prefer to send a cheque by post: Click this link for theaddress of our regional office. Please quote project reference 26-849.

Please Pray:
  1. Please lift our brothers and sisters in Kyrgyzstan to the Lord in prayer, asking for stability and an end to the chaos on the streets.

  2. For all those who were wounded or lost loved ones in the recent bloodshed, that they may find comfort in the Lord Jesus.

  3. That Mr Bakiyev and the interim government will work together to reach a peaceful and satisfactory resolution to the crisis.

  4. For greater tolerance from local authorities towards Christians in Kyrgyzstan and that any change in government will result in increased liberty and, in particular, greater freedom for Christians to worship and witness.

  5. That the nation will be able to rebuild after the looting, and particularly Christians whose businesses have been affected.
christian, persecution, charity, church, persecuted, sookhdeo, Islam

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