Day 7
Kyrgyzstan
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, many of the borders between Central Asian nations have never been clearly demarcated. This year there have been numerous clashes along Kyrgyzstan’s border with Tajikistan. At the start of the year, fighting resulted in more than 24,000 Kyrgyz people being evacuated. In April, a number of clashes between soldiers resulted in gunfire. Pray for restraint on both sides during times of tension. Pray for a clear process of demarcation to be prioritized that will bring resolution. Praise the Lord that His Kingdom is not a matter of talk, but of power. Pray that God’s power will bring people to faith in Jesus Christ (The Bible, 1 Corinthians 4:20).
Source: Latest Shoot-Out Along Kyrgyz-Tajik Border Increases Tensions (Radio Free Europe)
Kyrgyzstan remains the second poorest country in post-Soviet Central Asia. Unemployment, corruption, inflation, and religious and human-rights violations still plague people’s lives, as it did before the Tulip Revolution. In 2010 a parliamentary constitution with elaborate checks and balances was adopted, making Kyrgyzstan the only Central Asian country in which the president is limited to a single term. Most Kyrgyz are nominal Muslims, but a growing Islamic identity is concerning. A lack of growth in the Church has been observed.
