January 2002 Adventist World Affairs | Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

(News and Analysis from the Department of Public Affairs of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church)

TURKMENISTAN: Adventist Woman Evicted from Home by State Authorities

Turkmenabad, Turkmenistan… Persecution of Seventh-day Adventists in Turkmenistan continues with the news of the Christmas eviction of Maryam Ismakayeva from her home.

The December 21 eviction order states that that Maryam Ismakayeva “has illegally drawn people into a religious society by organizing a group… Citizen M.K. Ismakayeva is to be evicted from her flat; no alternative flat is offered to her,” according to a report by Keston News Service.

The ongoing persecution is part of the government’s crackdown on religious minorities, reports Victor Krushenitsky, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director for the Adventist Church’s Euro-Asia Division based in Moscow.

“It was such sad news when our Adventist church building was demolished in November 1999,” comments Krushenitsky. “Besides this, our group of about ten people in the city of Turkmenabad (Charjou) has been under oppression for the past five to six years. Several times our members have been arrested, their literature and tapes confiscated, and they have been fined for meeting together from time to time, which does not violate the country’s law. Suffering the most among this group was Maryam Ismakayeva, whose apartment was used for such meetings.”

This persecution is another example of repression and religious freedom violations, notes Krushenitsky. The consequences are traumatic. “I met with Maryam on January 10 and 11 here in Moscow. She is very troubled, as she lost not only her apartment, but also her registration in the country, which means that she can no longer legally stay in Turkmenistan. We need to use all measures to protect her and other members of the group.”

Commenting on the situation, Pastor Jan Paulsen, president of the Adventist world church spoke of his distress and concern at these reports. “We are deeply concerned over the continuing situation in Turkmenistan. Such reports are very distressing and as yet our communications with the authorities have not brought any response. We all need to remember those who are denied the freedom to worship and to practice their beliefs.”

He spoke of “our grave concern and our wish for a rapid resolution to the ongoing tragedy,” and appealed “to our international church family to continue to pray for the persecuted around the world, and most specifically for our fellow-believers in Turkmenistan.”

The Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty of the General Conference has issued an official statement entitled “Persecution of Christians in Turkmenistan,” which is available at http://parl.gc.adventist.org/turkmenstat.html. [Jonathan Gallagher]

AZERBAIJAN: Religious Freedom in an Islamic Context

Baku, Azerbaijan… Three Seventh-day Adventist leaders participated in a top-level international symposium held in Baku, Azerbaijan, to examine “Attitudes of Islam to Terror: The Understanding and Distorted Interpretation.”

Azerbaijan has recently attracted the attention of religious freedom associations with its new registration of religious groups and churches. The symposium was held in the context of media attacks on some religious minorities, including the Seventh-day Adventist Church, reports Dr. John Graz, director of the church’s Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty.

Most of the speakers were experts in Islam, coming from Islamic countries and the U.S.A., comments Graz. In his speech, Graz underlined religious freedom as being a major answer to religious fanaticism.

“Beyond our differences, we have to build a better world for all,” he said. “A world where everyone will be free to choose their beliefs according to the dictates of their conscience; a world where our children and grandchildren won’t be persecuted, discriminated against, or harmed because of their religion, color or gender.

Graz was joined by Victor Krushenitsky, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director for the church’s Euro-Asia Division based in Moscow, and by pastor Pavel Ivanovich, Chairman of the Adventist Caucasus Conference, for the meeting held in Baku from December 20-23, 2001.

The delegation met with Prof. Rafig Aliyev, Chairman of the State Committee for Working with Religious Associations of the Azerbaijani Republic, organizer of the symposium. Contacts were also made with diplomats, human rights and religious leaders, Helsinki Commisssion members, United Nations representatives and the Vice-Director General of the TV Channel ANS which played a major role in the hostile media campaign against religious minorities. Interviewed by ANS, Krushenitsky gave information about the recognition of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Russia and its long presence in Azerbaijan. Ivanovich commented that “The work of the delegation was very helpful and productive. The timing could not be more appropriate.”

Azerbaijan is an independent republic, formerly part of the Soviet Union. Mainly Muslim, the new country has been at war with neighboring Armenia for several years. [AWA staff]

NORTH KOREA: President Calls for “Absolute Worship” of Himself

Silver Spring, Maryland, USA… In an ongoing drive to bolster his personality cult, Kim Jong-Il, president of North Korea, is calling for a “revolutionary militant spirit” and “absolute worship” of himself as supreme leader, reports Keston News Service.

North Korea continues to suffer major economic and societal crises, with flooding and poor harvests leading to a humanitarian disaster. Kim’s self-deification appears to be an attempt to prevent the country from collapsing into chaos by rallying patriotic and pseudo-religious fervor for himself as “god-like leader,” comments Jonathan Gallagher of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty based in Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A.

The only permitted “religion” in North Korea is known as Juche, begun by the previous Communist president Kim Il Sung, who declared himself to be divine. Juche blends religion and Marxism-Leninism into a form of national ideology that all are supposed to believe. It teaches that the trinity is Kim Il Sung (Father), Kim Jong-Il (Son), and the tower of Juche—a religious ideology that is based in national self-dependence—as the Holy Spirit. Christianity, along with all other religions, is banned.

“Such actions in the face of national disaster reflect a preoccupation with ideology,” adds Gallagher. “It is a tragedy that freedom of conscience and religious liberty are rejected in the name of supposed national development. The fate of millions of people is at stake, and a greater emphasis on realistic solutions is desperately needed. Any system of belief must uphold compassion and respect for human dignity, and demonstrate these values in a practical way by helping people with their basic needs.” [Viola Hughes]

ST. LUCIA: Caribbean Focus for Religious Freedom

St. Lucia, Caribbean… Top-level government meetings and a large “Festival of Religious Freedom” focused attention on the vital issues of religious liberty for the Caribbean, reports Dr. John Graz, director of the Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) of the world Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Graz met with Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony, and Minister Menissa Rambally, Minister of Social Transformation, Local Government, Culture and Ecclesiastical Affairs, who is also a member of the Adventist Church. Graz was accompanied by Clive Dottin, PARL director for the church’s Caribbean Union, and pastor Johnson Frederick, his counterpart in St. Lucia.

Graz commended the Prime Minister for St. Lucia’s excellent record in regards to religious freedom. Prime Minister Anthony expressed great interest in working to promote religious liberty. He also shared concerns about religious extremism and the necessity of churches working in harmony with each other for the good of the country.

The January 12 Festival of Religious Liberty brought together more than 1,000 Adventists in the Central Church in Castries. The program included lectures on historical, legal, and spiritual aspects of religious freedom, and much information was given about persecution occurring around the world. Several musicians and singers participated in this festival. Graz commented that “It was impressive to see the enthusiasm and the interest for religious freedom issues of the thousand people who spent all day at this festival.” [AWA staff]

FEATURE:

THE PRICE OF BELIEF

Our first Christmas in Nepal was fast approaching. Having done our research before leaving the United States, we knew exactly what we were getting into when we decided to come here. Nepal is a Hindu state where Christians must remember two basic things: 1) Proselytizing will get you thrown in jail; and 2) It is a crime for a citizen of Nepal to convert from Hinduism to Christianity.

And that is why the Christmas card on the desk was the first thing that caught my eye as I walked into my husband’s office. My handy guide to Nepal did not tell me that Christmas cards or anything else Christian were available in Nepal! Closer examination revealed bright gold lettering that boldly said, “Merry Christmas SWEETHEART.” Curious about the card, I picked it up. It was from Mr. Karki, the principal of a local nursing school. Ignorant of the connotation of “sweetheart,” he had thoughtfully sent the card to Roy (my husband).

Besides the humor of the situation, the card represents the economic role that Christianity plays in Nepal. A Hindu professional, who knew nothing about Christmas or Sweethearts, did know that Christmas was a special time for the man with whom he wanted to have a long-term business relationship. Many more Christmas cards followed that first card—wishes of the season from Hindus to a Christian.

The cards, I thought, were perhaps a “clue” that Christianity wasn’t necessarily forbidden in Nepal. And so, hoping that a commercial Christmas was somewhere out there and one that was somewhat comparable to the malls in America, I set out on a search for Christmas in Kathmandu. And I found it—in all the tourist areas. Everything from Christmas cards to nativity scenes to Christmas tree ornaments.

Nepal’s largest source of income is tourism, and most of the tourists are from Christian backgrounds. By allowing Baby Jesus and mistletoe in its capital city, Nepal accommodates and appeases the tourist. For the sake of tourism, the constitution is conveniently bent to allow Christianity to motivate its economy. So a country that does not hesitate to throw you in jail for passing out Christian literature has no problem selling cards with Christ-centered messages!

Unfortunately, the wedded bliss of Commercialism and Christianity has not given birth to human rights and the freedom of worship. The day Jaya* became a Christian, he lost more than his former religion. Calling him “Jootho” (untouchable), his mother forbade him to enter their home. Treating him like a beggar, she wrapped some food in an old newspaper and placed it for him at the doorstep. Nothing, not even the dishes, could be contaminated by Jaya’s touch. He was driven out of his home and village. Fearing for his life, he disappeared. That was more than eight years ago. No one has seen him since.

To publicly announce that you are a Christian is to ask for a lot of trouble. Statistics evidence that less than two percent of Nepal’s population is Christian. Yet no one knows the “real” number of Christians in Nepal. The stats, I’m sure, don’t include the village that Prem*, a long-time Seventh-day Adventist Nepali, discovered while trekking. The village was peculiarly strange—there was no temple, no central liquor store, no signs of “puja” to ward off evil spirits. Curious, Prem began asking questions: Who were they? What did they do? Where was their temple? He only got vague answers. Frustrated, he implored, “Just tell me what you call yourselves!” They answered very simply, “We are believers.” Every single person in that far off, remote village was a secret “believer” of the true God!

Are there more villages of believers out there? To be a follower in Nepal comes with a price, an extraordinarily huge price. Even in the middle of Christmas ornaments and cards, a Nepali has no freedom to openly worship the God of his choice. Like window-shopping for a better life, he can look, admire, even come close and touch it, but to have it would mean to lose everything else. The price is great. Yet there are many who have paid it—with tears of joy. [Fylvia Kline, Viola Hughes]

*Names changed to protect the brave “believers.”

(Fylvia and Roy Kline, along with their children, Jez and Sky, serve the people of Nepal through the Seventh-day Adventist hospital in the country).

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Copyright © 2002 Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department. All rights reserved.
AWA may be reprinted or quoted providing acknowledgment is given.
Director, John Graz; Editor, Jonathan Gallagher; Advisor, Eugene Hsu; Managing Editor, Viola Hughes. Contributors: James Standish, Bert Beach, Marilyn Riley, Samantha Burchard, Matt Mills, Division PARL directors; Proofreaders: Marilyn Riley, Becki Timon.
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