Just yesterday, June 30, Kazakhstan took a significant step and banded the niqab, regulating any public attire that covers the face in public spaces. The ban was signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev showing how radical Islam is losing its grip on the region.
Earlier this year, BTJ hosted a conference in Kazakhstan, meeting with Chinese missionaries and underground church leaders in the region. Kazakhstan has more religious freedom than most of its neighbors, which is one explanation for it having the largest economy among them as well.
While the law avoids explicit references to religion, there is no doubt that it is a direct shot over the bow of Islam.
The change could be the direct result of the undercurrent of Christian influence, although the number of Christians is not seen in data, because many of them are underground. The current systems mostly account for registered orthodox Christians and Muslims. Islam continues to grow because of the birthrate, but the number of underground Christians continues to grow because the people are hungry.
BTJ missionaries continue to serve and plant churches in Kazakhstan.
