Turkmenistan Christians cite ‘religious hatred’

ASHGABAD, Turkmenistan — Protestants and Jehovah’s Witnesses in Turkmenistan have indicated a “religious hatred” toward followers of non-Islamic faiths, according to Forum 18 news service. “Christians are disturbed that officials try to pressure people to turn away from the faith they have chosen,” an Ashgabad-based Protestant reported. “Such officials are inciting interreligious hatred and this should end.”

The most recent incident on record is official pressure by a 12-strong commission of officials and the local Muslim imam to force a convert to Christianity to renounce his faith, Forum 18 reported. Officers of the police and the Interior Ministry’s 6th department — responsible for anti-terrorism and the fight against organized crime and religious activity — took part in the attacks. Members of minority faiths said they remain concerned that while official policy proclaims interethnic and interreligious harmony, the reality is different — hostility, threats and pressure to convert “back” to Islam.