Around 83% of Uzbeks are Sunni Muslims. Two percent are Christians. Many are irreligious as a result of suffering under decades of atheistic communist rule prior to the fall of the Soviet Union. The government gives tacit approval to families that reject family members who become Christians or try to force them back to Islam.
Though Uzbekistan has long been a highly restricted country, its government has made incremental reforms in religious freedom in recent years. This improvement, with unity among believers across several Christian denominations and a focus on training and equipping Christian leaders, is a positive development for the small number of Uzbek churches and Christians. Though restrictions on churches and Christian organisations have eased, evangelism and conversion are opposed, and it is still illegal to distribute evangelistic literature in public.
Omina was raised a Muslim, but when she started visiting a local church, she began to experience God’s love and care in a way she had never known before. She and her two daughters eventually became followers of Christ.
When her Muslim husband learned of their newfound faith, he threatened them and tried to force them to return to Islam. After they refused, he mocked them, beat them and withheld food from them. He even threatened to kill them if they did not renounce Christ. Finally, he forced them out of the house. Omina sought help from the police, but authorities in the area are also Muslims and supported her husband instead.
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