In World War II, most Chechen opposed the Germans and fought alongside the Red Army. Nevertheless, in 1944, many of the Chechen and also their neighbors, the Ingush, were deported to various parts of central Asia, including Kazakstan. Although they were allowed to return in 1968, many were already settled in their new land. On October 27, 1991, the Chechen declared their independence. Since then, Russian troops have invaded Chechnya, and much of that nation now lies in ruins.

What are their lives like?
The Chechen span a variety of occupations and income levels. Most are farmers who grow grains, vegetables, or fruit. Others raise stock, particularly fine-fleeced sheep. Still others work in oil refineries. Chechen women work outside of their homes daily, as do other women in the former Soviet Union.

The core of the Chechen society is the taip, a clan-like organization whose members descended from a common ancestor. A group of elders with its own court rules each taip.

In marriage, the Chechen generally choose mates from outside their own clans. Marriage between blood relatives within a span of three generations is forbidden. The groom's family pays a dowry to the bride or her family as a guarantee against divorce. Traditionally, a Chechen wife could not eat with her husband or speak to his relatives. Her role was simply one of submission.

Kazakstan dominates Central Asia and the trade routes between the East and West. It was a member of the USSR from 1936-1991, and the people re-elected the Communist Party after their independence in 1991. Kazakstan is bounded on the west and north by Russia; on the east by China; and on the south by Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.

What are their beliefs?
Ruins of church buildings in Kazakstan indicate that at least some Chechen had converted to Christianity by the eighth century. However, during the sixteenth century, Islam was introduced by other peoples who settled among the Chechen. By the late seventeenth century, all remaining ties to Christianity had vanished from the region.

The role of the numerous holy places of pilgrimage in Kazakhstan is less significant than in other parts of Central Asia where tribal structures remain strong. Yet the Chechen are very committed to their Muslim faith. A number of them have received religious training at Dagestan, an important Islamic center in the southern part of the Chechen-Ingush Republic.

What are their needs?
Kazakstan's cultural and religious diversity makes this land strategic for evangelizing most of the Central Asian peoples. Although the Communist suppression of religion has given way to greater toleration, the Chechen have had little opportunity to hear the Gospel. Only portions of the Bible have been translated into the Chechen language, and only one missions agency is currently working among them. More Christian laborers and additional materials in their language are needed to see the Gospel take root in their lives.

Physically, the drying up of the Aral Sea is causing increased concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts. In addition, the environment suffers from severe industrial pollution. Perhaps Christians with expertise in environmental issues will find opportunities to work among the Chechen and show them the love of Jesus in practical ways. Prayer is the first step toward seeing them reached with the Light of the Gospel.

Prayer Points

• Ask the Lord of the harvest to call full-time workers who will share Christ with the Chechen.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to give creative ideas for evangelism to the missions agency that is targeting the Chechen.
• Pray that God will reveal Himself to the Chechen through dreams and visions.
• Ask the Lord to speed the completion of the Bible in the Chechen language.
• Pray that God will use loving Kazak Christians to minister the love of Jesus to the Chechen living among them.
• Take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers that have kept the Chechen bound for many generations.
• Ask God to raise up intercessors who will stand in the gap for the Chechen.
• Pray that strong local churches will be raised up among the Chechen.

See also the following related group: the Chechen of Russia.

THE PEOPLE

• People name: Chechen
• Country: Kazakstan
• Their language: Chechen
• Population: (1990) 50,100
  (1995) 51,500
  (2000) 53,200
• Largest religion: Muslim (Hanafite) 63%
  Atheist 21%
  Nonreligious 16%
• Christians: 0%
• Church members: 0
• Scriptures in their own language: Portions
• Jesus Film in their own language: None
• Christian broadcasts in their own language: None
• Mission agencies working among this people: 1
• Persons who have heard the Gospel: 9,300 (19%) Those evangelized by local Christians: 0 (0%)
  Those evangelized from the outside: 9,300 (19%)
• Persons who have never heard the Gospel: 42,200 (81%)

• Country: Kazakstan
• Population: (1990) 16,669,700
  (1995) 17,111,100
  (2000) 17,694,000
• Major peoples in size order: Kazak 39.7%
  Russian 37.8%
  Ukrainian 5.4%
  German 5.2%
  Uzbek 2%
• Major religions: Muslim 45.4%
  Christian 24.4%
  Nonreligious 18.4%
• Number of denominations: 23