CENTRAL ASIA — Ailin’s* parents are deaf – and Christian – which makes them especially vulnerable to persecution in Central Asia.

Rejected by their family, and even arrested, Ailin and her parents have since received practical and spiritual support from local Open Doors partners.

*Name changed for security reasons.

*Ailin – name changed for security reasons:

“So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”

Ailin is a teenager from Central Asia. Her parents are Christians, but her wider family and most of society are Muslims. Her relatives tried to stop her from following Christ, but Ailin has stood firm in her faith.

Ailin:

“When I started to go to church more often and praying more, they saw this and began to forbid me from going there. They would purposely come over on Saturday and stay at our house to stop me from going to church on Sunday to keep me away from church to Islam. There’s a thing in Islam called the Kalima, a declaration of faith.

“They started forcing me to say this to renounce my faith, my Christianity. But I said, no, I know, my God, it’s Jesus. I believe he is God. I’m a Christian. I’m not a Muslim.

Ailin’s parents couldn’t defend her choice because they’re deaf. And in Central Asia, disabilities are often seen as a curse from Allah. They were isolated and mistreated by relatives because of their disability and because of their Christian faith.

Ailin:

“Because my parents are deaf, they can’t answer and can’t say anything. Your parents can’t hear. They can’t explain it to you. They have to be Muslim because our whole family and our whole klan are Muslim.”

Community leaders were called to put pressure on Ailin and then they reported her to the police.

Ailin:

“The next day at 6:30 a.m. my dad wasn’t at home. He was at work. More than 15 policemen came. They knocked. I came out and I was shocked. It was so early. They had a document that allowed them to enter our house. I didn’t understand what it said. All I saw was a piece of paper with a stamp on it.

“I asked if I could call someone the pastor or a lawyer. They said no, you don’t have any right to call anybody. We have permission to come into your house and look at everything.”

The police found a book of Christian stories and took Ailin and her mother for questioning. But while they were at the police station, they prayed and were released without charge.

Ailin then connected with a group for deaf children and the children of deaf parents. Open doors supports this project as a way of letting them know that they’re not alone yet.

Ailin:

“I am so glad that I met these people, because I have never before experienced the kind of love these people have given me. Now we can pray together.

“They can pray for me. I have learned a lot about Jesus through these people, and I can actually also say that because of these people, I’m also becoming a strong believer.”

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About Open Doors UK

For over 60 years, Open Doors UK has worked in the world’s most oppressive countries, empowering Christians who are persecuted for their beliefs. Open Doors equips persecuted Christians in more than 60 countries through programs like Bible & Gospel Development, Women & Children Advancement, and Christian Community Restoration.