Balkh and Mazari Sharif cities

30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World Ramadan 2007 / 1428: September 13 - October 12

The Massacre in Northern Afghanistan

- Focus: Balkh and Mazari Sharif cities

For Saturday, 22 September, Ramadan 2007. "Loving Muslims Through Prayer"

Between May and July 1997 the Taliban unsuccessfully attempted to take Mazari, leading to approximately 2,500 Taliban soldiers being massacred. But in August 1998 the Taliban returned prompting a six-day killing frenzy of Hazaras and other local people. Even now eye-witnesses are moved with emotion telling how the dead and dying lay for weeks in the streets. Today Mazari Sharif, as the forth-largest city in Afghanistan, is getting new streets, supermarkets and internet cafes. However there are only small numbers of Christians.

Only 20 minutes away by car, to the west of Mazari, lies the famous town of Balkh previously known as Bactria. This city was part of the Persian empire. Later the city became a centre for Buddhism and finally, when the Arabs took control in the 8th century. From its former glory Balkh retains only its citadel and a few other ruins. The new city, called Wazirabad, has a population of 70,000 people consisting mostly of ethnic Uzbeks. In Balkh today there is no known Christian witness.

[Full Text]

Prayer Points:

* Pray that the pilgrims to the Blue Mosque in Mazari who are seeking for freedom, healing and wisdom would meet Jesus personally.

* Pray for the people of Mazari Sharif, especially the Hazara, who continue to live with the consequences of trauma of the late 1990's. May they can find life in Christ who alone can bring inner peace and the ability to forgive.

* Pray for the few believers in the area to build healthy and life giving relationships to open doors for influence and witness. Pray especially that the city of Balkh (today Wazirabad) could have a Christian witness.

+ Google Map Link: Afghanistan

+ YouTube Video Link: 9:42, Vacationing in Afghanistan

+ Our Interactive Flash Site: 30daysfire.net

+ Gospel Recording: Words of Life - Language: Monglian

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