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Asia: Restricted Access

Overview

Because Azerbaijan was formerly a Soviet republic, its churches developed only after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Although Azerbaijan is rich in oil and gas reserves, corruption and the country’s authoritarian government have impeded economic growth. Nevertheless, poverty has been reduced, and the country’s infrastructure is gradually improving.

Major Religion

85 percent of Azerbaijanis are Shiite Muslims, and 2 percent are Christians.

Persecutor

Families are the main persecutors of Christians. Azerbaijan has a shame-honour culture in which those who leave Islam are considered to have brought shame on the family. The government also pressures Christians with heavy fines.

What It Means To Follow Christ In Azerbaijan

For many years now, churches have been denied the ability to register legally. Secret police attend and sometimes raid church meetings, which the government classifies as illegal. In 2015, the government published a list of banned religious books that included the Old Testament.

Those caught with banned religious literature are fined. The government is tightening restrictions and often asks church leaders to submit lists of members’ names. Some pastors and leaders feel this is an attempt to gather information for later use against church members or pastors.

Many Christians faithfully share Christ with neighbours and family members despite legal pressure and possible fines.

Access To Bibles

Bibles are difficult to obtain. Churches can purchase them, but they cannot be printed legally.

VOM Work

VOM brings Bibles, including children’s Bibles, into the country and provides legal assistance to persecuted pastors and churches.

Prayer Requests:

• Praise God that many Azeri Christians proclaim Christ despite the risk of legal problems and heavy fines.
• Pray that Bibles will be available for all Azeri people who want to know God's Word.
• Pray that churches will withstand government efforts to monitor, control or close them.
• Pray that secret police sent to monitor and raid worship services will instead come to faith in Christ.
• Pray that evangelistic efforts through social media will reach the lost in rural areas.
• Using 2 Thessalonians 3:1–2 as a guide, pray for the spread of the gospel in Azerbaijan.

The Voice of the Martyrs. U.S.A.

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Coram Deo — before the face of God. This blog reflects on Scripture, world events, science, music, psychology, and the human mind — always through the lens of Christian faith. All of life is lived before the face of God.