Day 25
Kazakhstan
Recently, the parliament began debating possible changes to religious laws. The changes would mean that churches that don’t own their own buildings would have to apply at least 10 days in advance for state permission each time they meet. That includes Sunday worship services and any other church event. It is likely that many unregistered churches will have to decide when and how to continue meeting without state permission or face consequences. As we pray today, we speak out that Christian Believers may know in both their hearts and minds that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture (The Bible, Psalm 100:3).
Source: New religious meeting restrictions now in Senate (Forum 18)
A large country the size of Western Europe, Kazakhstan is the world’s leading uranium producer and the economic leader of Central Asia. Soviet-era nuclear testing and toxic waste dumping plague the nation as well as elevating drug addiction levels and HIV/Aids rates. Islam had a resurgence after the Soviet era, but more legal restrictions are being imposed on all religious groups. Unregistered Protestant churches and their Believers suffer the most persecution. Political instability and infighting between the ruling party and opposition groups have been the mark of the last two years.
