Tajiks in Tajikistan

The Tajiks of Central Asia are the oldest surviving people group in that region. Their homeland, Tajikistan, is the mountainous center of Asia, surrounded by the Asian republics of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Tajikistan includes the Pamir Mountains, which reach altitudes of nearly 25,000 feet. Most of the people live in the parallel valleys below.

The Tajik have repeatedly been invaded and conquered throughout their history. The armies of Alexander the Great, the Arabs in the seventh century, Genghis Khan, the Turks, the British, and the Russian empire have all had a profound impact on these people. In fact, the numerous invasions have been the major factor in the dispersion of the Tajik to other locations. Many Tajik have crossed over into Afghanistan and are still surrounded by war, ethnic violence, religious tension, and harsh living conditions.

After the breakup of the USSR, Tajikistan still suffered through years of a civil war which ended in 1997. However, tens of thousands had been killed and thousands of wives widowed. The economy collapsed, and unemployment was extremely high, up to 70% in some rural areas.

* Pray that the Tajik would not judge Christianity just as a “Russian religion,” but see their own need for salvation.
* Pray for an end to the persecution of believers by Muslim relatives who believe Christians betray their ancestors.
* Pray that new churches would have the finances to register. This is a very expensive process.
* Ask God to send revival to Penjikent (the radical Muslim center) where there are no Tajik believers.
* Ask God to raise up long-term missionaries who will go to Tajikistan and share Christ with the Tajik.
* Pray that the Holy Spirit will give vision for outreach and a genuine burden for the Tajik to believers in this region.
* Pray that God will open the hearts of Tajik governmental leaders to the Gospel.
* Pray that God will call out prayer teams to begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
* Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Tajik.

Source: http://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/15201/TI