This reporting relies on Forum 18 which as I contended last
year is problematic, as the organisation is a little too cozy with the European
Establishment. That said, (as with the Mariupol pastor story from October 2022),
this is not to say the story isn't true. It's more of a warning to be sceptical
of the source and to realize that despite their claims – they're not neutral or
apolitical observers.
The Uzbek government is terrified that the West is going to
make trouble for them by fomenting protests or stoking political activism.
Central Asia has long been subject to Great Power machinations – what could in
more recent years be called The Great Game 2.0, a process that was initiated
with the break-up of the USSR in 1991 and one that intensified after 9/11. Since
then it has only grown more complicated as more nations are involved and the
various Islamist movements that grew out of the Soviet-Afghan War as well as
the US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have permutated and groups like ISIS have
emerged. It's complicated and the situation became even more perplexing with
the Ukraine War and the attempts to shut-down the Russian economy. Uzbekistan
in particular is a likely target given its position and relationship with
Moscow – and because it is viewed as the critical or central state to Western
geo-strategic designs on Central Asia.
The Uzbek government which already faces international
scrutiny and internal dissent doesn't want 'off the radar' groups meeting –
whether Christian or Muslim. They fear Salafists and politically-minded
Evangelical types who can act as a front for American or European interests.
This is not to excuse the conduct of the Mirziyoyev regime
but some context is helpful. It's not sheer tyranny – it's tyranny in a larger
context in which the state's actions have a logic to them and it needs to be
understood that (all things considered) it could be a lot worse.
That said, one is certainly grieved, offended, and even
horrified by the brutality of the police – something all police are given to if
the circumstances are right.
Wisdom dictates that it's probably not the best time to
invite German musicians – which serve no purpose in Christian worship anyway.
Also, when the authorities entered – it's one thing to stand your ground, it's
another to exhibit a kind of willful defiance. Continuing to play the music and
ignore the police probably generated some unnecessary irritation. It could have
been dealt with differently – but of course I wasn't there and so my opinion is
admittedly of limited value.
Let us pray that the Church is able to persevere through
these difficult times and that God will grant the Uzbek and Central Asian
churches wisdom – especially in light of the West's proxy war with Russia and
its larger geopolitical and economic implications. The governments in Central
Asia are affected by this. This does not change the preaching of the gospel but
Church leaders need to be careful and there's no need to unnecessarily provoke
the authorities especially with actions that could be perceived as political
whether they are or not.
See also:
https://pilgrimunderground.blogspot.com/2022/10/kidnapped-poison-of-russian-sacralism.html
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