[2026 Ramadan] Day 9: Rejoice, Tajikistan! Revive, Tajikistan! Rise up, Tajikistan!

Tajikistan is the only Persian ethnic nation in Central Asia and descendants of King Cyrus. From around the 2nd century BC to the 8th century AD, for nearly 1,000 years, they were leaders of the Silk Road—not only in commerce but also in religion and culture, flourishing remarkably as a people. Around the 10th century, the Samanid dynasty, which followed Sassanid Persia, shone brightly in history. After that, however, they were continually ruled by foreign powers, and their identity became increasingly faint. After 70 years under the influence of the Soviet Union (Russia), Tajikistan gained independence in 1991 and went through five years of civil war (1992–1997), arriving at where it stands today.

Although the country was devastated by civil war, during that period Tajikistan experienced a surprising revival and its greatest golden age. However, since the 2000s, as national administration stabilized and secular trends flowed into the church, the number of believers inside Tajikistan has stagnated—or even declined—to fewer than about 3,000. Secular Islam continues to expand, and in recent years even small signs of fundamentalist movements have appeared.

Islam remains highly popular, and the power of Ramadan is strong. Even those who lived secular lives realign themselves with their faith during Ramadan. Those who were not religious participate in fasting as well. Yet in such a time, God is creating a new history in Tajikistan.

<The 1st Tajikistan Mission Camp>

Just before the beginning of Ramadan 2026, in the second week of February, the first mission camp in Tajikistan was held. The first TMC was a camp where the fire of the Lord descended. Through this camp, God granted the vision of the sacrifice on Mount Carmel. It did not matter what condition the participants were in. Those who had not focused in our gatherings before, those who had not freely praised, those who criticized us for speaking about the times and stirring people up—people of every kind participated. Yet God gathered the water-soaked sacrifices and set upon them an eternal fire. It will burn without ceasing until the day the Lord returns. Amen!

“O Lord, answer me; answer me” (1 Kings 18:37). We came to understand that God desires the fire to blaze upon water-soaked sacrifices. God! Send down Your fire upon this nation! Let this people know that the Lord Jehovah is God and that You are turning their hearts back again. Let all the world know that Allah, the false god of Islam holding this nation, is powerless!

If Ramadan is like the frenzied sacrifice of the prophets of Baal and Asherah, then our Tajik community, beginning with the mission camp, is offering a sacrifice of the fire of the Holy Spirit.

After the mission camp, among the YGs a “Word Movement” began—a desire to live daily by the Word. A “Prayer Movement” also began, longing for holy young people to rise as "God’s army". Now, the young generation is openly expressing their desire to go out as student missionaries. They confess that they will rely only on God, not on their own circumstances or situations, and offer themselves in devotion. Hallelujah! The sending movement that had stopped for the past 4–5 years will begin again.

[Rejoice, Tajikistan! Revive, Tajikistan! Rise up, Tajikistan!]

Since last summer (2025), short-term mission teams visiting Tajikistan, along with all the workers serving in the land and Christians of all generations in Tajikistan, united together to hold the “Rejoice, Tajikistan” festival. As we worshiped together, the heavens opened. Local Tajik Christians, who had once seemed like stone during worship began to rejoice, dance, and leap together. Local friends confessed, “I’ve never experienced such joy in my life. I hope there will be another gathering like this.” It truly became a powerful explosion of joy that delighted the Holy Spirit. After that, the worship of the Tajikistan team was completely transformed.