Deadly Floods in Afghanistan, and the Persecuted Hazara

Flash floods and mudslides killed more than 300 people and destroyed thousands of houses, mostly in Baghlan, northern Afghanistan last weekend. Let’s pray those in need will find Jesus.

Afghanistan is 99.8% Muslim with 68 distinct people groups cut off from the gospel message. Today, we will pray for one of those.

The Shi’ite Muslim Hazara once numbered well over 6 million in Afghanistan, but due to ethnic cleansing by Pashtun rulers and the Sunni Muslim Taliban, this ancient tribe native to Afghanistan lost more than half their population. Since international troops withdrew in 2021, violence against them has continued and perhaps increased.

“Prior to the 19th century, Hazara were 67% of the total population, the largest Afghan ethnic group. More than half were massacred in 1893 when their autonomy was lost as a result of political action. Later fundamentalist governments, including the Taliban, attempted to dismiss them historically, politically and culturally by labeling them a mere religious entity and continued to attack them until they were driven from power. Now, estimates number the Afghan Hazara at around 2.9 million, less than 10% of the country’s population according to the UN.

“Their traditional homeland lies in central Afghanistan amid rugged mountains – a wildly beautiful, nearly inaccessible region of craggy peaks and rushing rivers called the Hazarajat. Hazara origins are much debated. Their name is from a Persian word meaning “thousand”. Current theory – supported by obvious Asian features – favors descent from Mongol soldiers left behind by Genghis Khan in the 13th century, with considerable Turkish admixture. Their unwritten dialect, Hazaragi, contains regional languages – Arabic, Urdu, Mongol, Turkish and Dari/Farsi, which is now Afghanistan’s primary language.

“A talented people, the Hazara truly enjoy poetry, often memorizing it and using it to teach children, as well as storytelling and music that is distinct to their culture. They are expert rug weavers, embroiderers and calligraphers (even through most are illiterate). Wrestling and a baseball-like game are favorite physical pastimes.

“Hazara women are honored in legend and folk tales. Shunning burkas, their traditional garb is bright green and red floral dresses, worn without the long under-trousers customary in Afghan culture and accessorized with heavy stockings, fur-lined boots, beaded headgear and heavy, coin strung necklaces. Independent and industrious given opportunity, many pre-Taliban Hazara women were highly educated and entered teaching or medical professions as well as serving in political roles. And, unlike other Afghan women, they fought beside Hazara men in battle….” (Read more at JoshuaProject.net.)

Lord of Heaven and Earth, please have mercy on the Hazara. Be a Shield around them and draw them up into Your arms, for they have not yet heard Your Good News. So many don’t know of Your great love for them or how precious they are to You, that You created them for Your glory. The Bible has not yet been translated into their unwritten language, so how can they know unless You make the way? Romans 10:14-15. Please, Lord, make a way where there seems to be no way for them to know You. Cross every language barrier, every mountain. Break through religion and culture, and show them who You are. Meet them in their dreams. Bring Christians across their path who will share the Gospel in a way they can easily understand. Protect the Hazara from harm and provide for all their needs in such a way that they will know it is You. Fight for their salvation and for the salvation of those who persecute them. O Lord, pierce the darkness over Afghanistan with Your light. March in with Your angel armies and fight for the souls of those who have only ever known violence and hatred. The enemy has killed, stolen and destroyed, but Your offer of abundant life still stands. John 10:10. Have mercy, O God of Love, and show the Hazara the way to You before it’s too late. Shelter the children. Watch over their innocent hearts. Get them to safety, and bring them unto You. Matthew 19:14. Give both the Hazara and their persecutors such a hunger for You they will travel far and wide to hear Your Good News. Sweep across that nation with the floodwaters of Your love, breaking ancient chains of destruction, violence, murder, hatred, and war; and releasing every heart to receive Your salvation. Yes, Holy Spirit, come now. Awaken the peoples of Afghanistan to Love.

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Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through giving a donation, shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore, praying for them or inviting them to speak at your church, retreat or other event, click the buttons below:

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