What makes this region significant is that it historically has influenced cultures in a variety of ways. Central Asia has been the home of Zorasternism and where founder, Zoroaster, is from. It is the land where Alexander the great came and married Roxana, a central Asian woman. After the invasion of this region by Alexander, the Greek and Bactria culture mixed with each other and formed a new civilization and kingdom by the name of Greek O Bactrian.
It was here that the local cultures mixed with Hellenistic culture and formed a new culture which impacted the rest of Asian countries. In the early 1st and 2nd century A.D this region turned into one of the strongest centers of Buddhism. Buddhist thought was combined with Greek art and architecture and a new art and architecture was formed by the name of Greco Buddhism art.
From here Buddhism went to China and Far East Asia. From the 5th to 10th century this region welcomed Christianity. Nestorian Christians, who were devoted Christians to the great commission, took the Gospel to the Far East and eventually all the way to Japan.
From the 10th to 14th century this region became one of the cultural and intellectual hubs for Islam. Many Muslims scholars and thinkers were from Central Asian countries in the age of Golden time of Islam.
In the last two centuries this region has been controlled by the Russians and has been influence by Russian culture. In the late 20th century, these countries gained their independence from the Soviet Union and started a new life as young nations and governments.
The Great Game
This new start has been an opportunity for change. Back in the 19th century, there was competition between England and Russia over who would have influence and control in this region. This competition was named "The Great Game". In the last two decades, political scientist and experts says that central Asia is in a "New Great Game".
In "The Great Game" the main players were Russia and England. In the "New Great Game" the players have increased to several groups, which include Russia, China, Muslim radicals and the USA. Each one of these players has an interest in controlling this region. The main reason these countries are interested in this area is because Central Asia has one of the largest oil reserves in the world. Also, the location of central Asia is very strategic for the political power in Asia and Europe.
Russia:
Central Asia has been controlled by Russia for about one and half centuries. The countries in Central Asia were part of the Soviet Union. Russia has very strong cultural and political influence in the area already. In most of the Central Asian countries Russian has been the official language of these countries in addition to their local languages. In many of these countries schools use Russian as the primary teaching language.
After the Central Asian countries gained independence from Russia in 1991, they all became part of the Russian Commonwealth. Russia views these countries as part of its loyal friends and alliances. There are Russia military bases in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. There are also many Russian ethnic groups who are living in this area, which is another reason why Russia wants to have influence and control in this region.
Recently, Russia's interfering with the Ukrainian territory in Crimea was justified by Russia on the principle of protecting the Russian ethnic groups in this country.
China:
China claims to have racial connections with central Asians. China has been investing lots of money through business and trade with central Asian countries. The Chinese government is interested to buy raw resources and oil from these countries. It is one of the main players in this game of influence. Central Asian countries are also members of SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization).
USA:
The United States of America is one of the main players in this competition over Central Asia. The USA is interested to have access to the oil and natural resources in this region. Central Asia's location is also very attractive to the Americans in order to establish a stronger presence in this region. American military bases in Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan and previously for a short time in Uzbekistan can be example of the American interest in having a military presence in Central Asia.
Muslim Radicals:
Most Central Asian countries have a Muslim religious majority by population. Muslim radicals and revolutionist see Central Asia as Islamic nations who have been secularized by the Russian colonization. Muslim radicals want to bring an Islamic revival in this region. Part of this revival is that they want to fight with the communist governments and replace them with Islamic governments, where Sharia law would be applied.
Fight for Christ
Inside this "New Game" there is something else that is going on in Central Asia that we do not hear much about. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, thousands of Central Asians have become Christians. In each of these central Asian countries there are movements of young Christians who are sharing the Gospel with their country mates. There are many home churches in this region that are growing fast.
God is bringing a spiritual revival in Central Asia. There are two things that are very fascinating with this Christian movement. First, it is exciting to see how God is working among people and calling them back to Him miraculously. Secondly, in the context of Global theology, we have Western theology, Asian theology, Latin American theology, African theology but Central Asian theology has yet to really be developed.
It is exciting to see how Central Asian theology will grow as the Christian mature and contextualize theology for this region. The cultural diversity in Central Asia will influence the theology of this region and contribute to Christian theology globally.
It is for us to remember what God is doing in this part of the world and keep praying for the young churches and believers in this region.
Mumin Faizy is a young Christian from the Middle East (Islamic world) and his interest research areas are philosophy and religious studies.
Mumin Faizy's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mumin-faizy.html