Fear of Extremists
Warnings about the danger of extremist Wahhabis are issued not only in the media but also in mosques. Citizens are even encouraged to report those who deviate from culturally familiar Islam. No distinction is made between Islamists and Christians.
The consequences of turning to Jesus are devastating, especially within the family circle. In recent weeks, there have been several attacks on converts in this context. A young man was beaten unconscious in his own parents' house because of his conversion to Christianity. On the same day, another was beaten by his own father and doused with gasoline. In another place, a young woman was beaten before being driven out of the house by her own mother.
In the capital, Ashgabat, conditions are somewhat more open. Churches are allowed to form and Christians are allowed to gather. Nevertheless, every new follower of Jesus must expect to lose their job.
