Photo by J. Waalkes, via mnnonline.org

Thousands flee ethnic violence in Kyrgzystan; ministry unaffected

Kyrgyzstan's refugee crisis continues to balloon, with over 100,000 Uzbeks fleeing a deadly purge over the borders, reports MNN.

Five days of violence are evident in the smoking ruins of the south.

Joel Griffith with Slavic Gospel Association explains, "The ethnic Uzbeks were supportive of one side or another in this coup that took place which overthrew the previous president. I think some of that has caused some of the ethnic tensions to come to bear."

In southern Kyrgyzstan, the majority of people are ethnic Uzbeks and Muslim, and many have remained loyal to Kurmankbek Bakiyev, the former president, ousted in April. The provisional government in Bishkek fears he provoked the ethnic tensions in order to put himself back in power.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is meeting with central Asian officials to try to end the bloodshed. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan's interim government extended a state of emergency throughout the Jalalabad region.

According to Voice of the Martyrs Canada, ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks are typically assumed to be Muslim, whereas ethnic Russians are considered Christian. This can cause added problems for Muslims who desire to convert to Christianity.

With the movement of thousands of people and unrest, what kind of impact will there be on SGA's ministry? Griffith says so far, so good. "The impact on evangelical churches in Kyrgyzstan has been minimal. We are trying to establish some contact with our resources over there to find out exactly what the situation is for them on the ground. We've heard nothing thus far that causes us immediate concern."

SGA is still assessing their best response. The humanitarian crisis is looming, but Griffith says, "We certainly are calling for intercessory prayer for believers in that region, that the Lord would not only protect and sustain them during this unrest, but also that there would be opportunities for the Gospel."

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TAGS: Kyrgyzstan refugee crisis ethnic violence Slavic Gospel Association Voice of the Martyrs Canada humanitarian crisis

[06/15/2010]

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