Muslims attend Friday prayers under a snowfall at the Central mosque in Almaty February 5, 2010. A vast region wedged between China, Iran, Afghanistan and Russia, Central Asia found itself on the frontline of global affairs last year when it agreed to host a vital new supply route for NATO forces fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan. Gripped by deepening gloom about economic stagnation and poverty, the mainly Muslim but secular region has become increasingly susceptible to extremist ideas in past years. Picture taken February 5, 2010. To match analysis CENTRALASIA-SECURITY/ REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov (KAZAKHSTAN - Tags: RELIGION POLITICS ENVIRONMENT IMAGES OF THE DAY)