Orthodox Christians Mark Easter in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Despite pervasive state surveillance of religious activity in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, Christians went to church on April 15 to celebrate Orthodox Easter. 

International watchdogs frequently cite restrictions on freedom of confession in both Central Asian states.

While most Uzbeks and Turkmen are Sunni Muslims, the Russian Orthodox faith is practiced by four and seven per cent, respectively, of those countries’ populations.

As the traditional religion of ethnic Russians in Central Asia, governments see the Orthodox church as less of a threat than other Christian groups, but the security services still keep an eye on it.

In the Turkmen capital Ashgabat, Nadezhda brought her daughter to morning mass at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

“There’s been a renaissance of church life in recent years,” she said. “We are glad we are able to celebrate the major festivals.”

In Namangan in eastern Uzbekistan, Father Boris of the Church of the Archangel Michael said interest in the Orthodox faith was rising year by year.

“There are ever more who hunger to draw closer to God,” he said.

This article was produced as part of News Briefing Central Asia output, funded by the National Endowment for Democracy.

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