Story number 2 for 24 Oct 2001

(Tajikistan)–Meanwhile, a Muslim mayor is making church registration difficult in Tajikistan. According to Keston News, Kurgan-Tyube’s (keur-guhn tie-yoob) Mayor has categorically refused to register an Evangelical Christian church there. Privately the mayor says he has been on a pilgrimage to Mecca and didn’t intend to defile himself by registering the church. City officials are refusing to allow the unregistered church to meet on the grounds while 38 unregistered mosques continue functioning. Many believe the registration was denied out of fear many will turn to Christ.