Tajikistan

 

A mountainous country, Tajikistan is home to many Persian-speaking people of Iranian origin. After centuries of being subjugated, it finally became independent at the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The Tajik people had come under Russian rule in the 1860s and 1870s, but Russia's hold on Central Asia weakened following the Revolution of 1917. Bands of indigenous fighters fiercely contested Bolshevik control of the area, which was not fully reestablished until 1925. Tajikistan was first created as an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan in 1924, but Soviet communist leaders designated Tajikistan a separate republic in 1929.

Ethnic Uzbeks form a substantial minority in Tajikistan, and ethnic Tajiks an even larger minority in Uzbekistan. Tajikistan became independent in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union, and experienced a civil war between regional factions from 1992 to 1997.

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Population

9,275,000+

Captial City: Dunshabe

 

SGA in Tajikistan

 

The country remains the poorest of the former Soviet nations. Its economy continues to face major challenges, including dependence on remittances from Tajiks working in Russia, charges of corruption, and the opiate trade in neighbouring Afghanistan.

SGA partners help Tajik evangelical churches by supporting the ministries of missionary pastors and biblical training at the Tajik Bible Institute. SGA also assists these churches through supporting Children's ministries through Orphans Reborn, summer camps, and Immanuel's Child, along with providing food and other humanitarian aid as needed through Compassion Ministry.

Religions in Tajikistan

Muslim 96.7%

Christianity 1.6%

Other 1.7%

Islam, the predominant religion throughout Central Asia, was brought to the region by the Arabs in the 7th century. Since that time, Islam has become an integral part of Tajik culture.

Tajikistan is a secular country, but the post-Soviet era has seen a marked increase in religious practice in the country. The Russian Orthodox faith is the most widely practiced of other religions, although the Russian community shrank significantly in the early 1990s.

Where Else We Work

Russian Federation

With over 17 million km², Russia is the largest country in the world. It covers over one-eighth of the earth's inhabited space, and is one of the world's most populous countries, with over 144 million people....

Far East Russia

Far East Russia is the extreme eastern territory of Russia, situated between Lake Baikal in Eastern Siberia and the Pacific Ocean. There are many isolated villages in this region that can only be reached by boat or plane...

Ukraine

Ukraine, in Eastern Europe, is made up mostly of Eastern Orthodox and Catholic adherants. The nation has a long history of territorial disputes, which continue to this day - especially in the regions of Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk...

Republic of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country, and is located in Central Asia. Officially, it is a democratic republic with a constitution, but the administration is under criticism for restricting religious freedom...

Republic of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a 'double-landlocked' country (fully surrounded by landlocked countries) in Central Asia. The population was largely converted to Islam during the Early Muslim Conquests in the 7th century...

What We Do

Church Planting

SGA exists to bring Biblical truth to the people of the former Soviet Union. Since the fall of communism, many churches have been planted but there are still many places without a Christian witness...

Pastoral Support

Full-time Christian ministry in the former USSR is difficult when local churches can't afford to support their own pastors. SGA helps by coordinating sponsorships and raising support...

Bible Students & Colleges

Preparing faithful pastors, missionaries, youth leaders and children's workers for lifetimes of ministry is vital to sustain evangelical churches. SGA assists by sponsoring seminaries and students...

Bibles & Literature Distribution

During Soviet times, SGA printed and smuggled Bibles across the Iron Curtain. Today, Bibles and Christian books are still needed, especially in Central Asia. SGA continues to raise funds for literature distribution...

Orphanage Ministries

There are hundreds of thousands of children in orphanages across the former Soviet Union. Who will teach these children about their creator who loves them? SGA's 'Orphans Reborn' program was designed to meet this need...

Summer Camp Sponsorships

In summer, a huge evangelistic effort is made to reach thousands of children through Christian summer camps. SGA raises funds to pay for disadvantaged children to attend, so they can learn about God's love...

Humanitarian Aid

In the poorest regions, there is special need for humanitarian aid. Through missionaries, pastors and church volunteers, needy people are receiving spiritual and practical help. SGA raises funds to make this outreach possible...

Prisons Ministries

Prisoners, especially those in despair, need to hear there is hope through the shed-blood of Christ. SGA raises support for ministry teams to conduct Bible studies and outreaches within prison walls...

Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation

Drug and alcohol addiction are affecting thousands of men and women across the former USSR. SGA is helping local churches by raising funds for the operation of Christian rehab centres...