A Vision to Reach Muslims in Nuristan, Afghanistan
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Population : Estimates are from 100,000 to 300,000
The most inaccessible of Afghan provinces, Nuristan forms the backbone of the Hindu Kush mountain range in north-east Afghanistan. 5,500m snow-capped mountain peaks are linked by deep valleys where stone, mud and wood houses compete for space on the mountain slopes. Nuristan (formerly Kafirstan) was the the setting of the book and film “The Man Who Would Be King.”
The difficulty with accessing the area and the long-time enmity with the neighbouring Pashtun tribes has continued the isolation of the Nuristani peoples and to date it remains almost completely undeveloped. There is no health care, very few functional schools and in many parts no vehicular access. Many villages are completely snowed in during the winter months.
Call for Help Unanswered
In 1865, two new Pashtun believers risked their lives to go up to this area to take the gospel of peace to the Nuristanis, who at the time represented a lone island of animism in the seemingly unbroken sea of Central Asian Islam. Their message was greeted with enthusiasm and the Nuristanis extended a further invitation to teachers of the good news to return and share more. Tragically, no one managed to return. 30 years later, possibly using information given by the British, the Amir of Kabul invaded Nuristan, converting the people to Islam at the point of a sword. The “land of the “kafirs” (unbelievers), as it was known, was renamed the “land of heavenly light”.
In 2007, the area is still in dire need. Food production is insufficient, life-expectancy is low and the maternal mortality rate is amongst the highest in the world. Eastern Nuristan, a hiding place for the Taliban and al-Qaeda, is subject to frequent attacks, both on locals and on foreigners seeking to work there. Other areas are divided by distrust, blood-feuding, unforgiveness, banditry and the fear of spirits. Seemingly, the god of war extensively worshipped in pre-Islamic times, still has great sway over the valleys. Nevertheless, these people were never forgotten by our God of love who has undoubtedly planned great things for the Nuristanis (Isaiah 9:2). He who has promised is faithful!
New Vision for Nuristan
For more than 20 years, a desire to reach out to Nuristan has been growing. There is a vision to see whole feuding communities transformed by the power of God’s message of grace, love and forgiveness. Practical development projects are in great need. Problems of accessibility have frequently impeded attempts of outsiders to visit the area but there is a sense that God’s time is coming for the Nuristanis. The challenge is great, but our God is much greater.
Please pray for:
* Access for workers; the gospel of forgiveness to come and radically impact feuding communities
* Contacts with people of peace and honor who can open doors for the Good News (Mt. 10:11)
* More workers, especially medical personnel, willing to serve in a tough place
* Dreams and visions of Jesus to prepare the Nuristanis for his message
* Understanding, wisdom and protection for workers as they plan to take hope to the mountains
* Names of the major tribes among the Nuristani :
Vasi, Kata, SaNu, Ashku, GramsaNa, Tregami, Kalasha, Dungullo, Kom, Kshto-Dungulio, Mumo (One could site each tribe in prayer before the Lord).
Gospel Recording: 5 Audio Gospel recordings available for Nuristan, Afghanistan:
Ashkuni | Kamviri | Kantwai | Paruni | Waygali
Background information on Afghanistan is on our site here …>>
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Filed under: Asia, South C. by TDI
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What about the violence and sadness the American military cause?
I so much appreciate what 30 Days does, and have enjoyed your information and prayer guidance for years. I want to raise one minor point. You’ve had 2 posts this time on Afghanistan. Yet neither have mentioned the incredible violence and sadness wrought by the American military there. I think we should take the opportunity to pray for all issues in a country, regardless of the origin of the problems.
I want to encourage you, in future opportunities, to also mention prayer for more peacemakers, like Christian Peacemaker Teams, that God would raise up people to demonstrate to them a true religion of peace.
Right now throughout the Muslim world, they see America as Christian, the military as it’s first ambassadors, and therefore Christianity as a religion of violence.
We know this to be a lie from the evil one. We can pray for freedom for oppressed peoples, rebuilding of devastated cities and lives, and ambassadors of the peace of Christ.
It is too easy to forget that America makes mistakes, and there needs to be prayer against her actions when they are not in accord with justice. Of course, I am not suggesting that you have forgotten this in any way. But rather, that, when appropriate, it would be helpful to have the reminder in those particular countries to pray for justice and peace, no matter the source.
It’s too easy to point the finger at the Americans and ignore the fact that they are the result of centuries of colonialism practised by Caucasians in general, most particularly the European nations that are now dumping most vociferously on the Americans. I agree that we need to pray for peace, most specifically in the war-torn countries of the Middle East, but let’s all recognise our collective guilt and pray for His forgiveness, working FOR reconciliation and peace rather than polarising things.
I recently visited Afghanistan and found that most Afghans are so thankful for the American military in freeing them from the tirancy of the Taliban. Their country is slowly rebuilding and it’s mostly by the efforts of the American military and christian.
There are numerous fellowships springing up as a result of the freedom that the country now feels b/c of what the American military did for them. Lastly, the freedom of women in that country is slowly growing after decades of women dying of simple diseases, being murdered for immorality b/c they were raped or abused.
I even visited a momument in the western part of the country dedicated to thanking our military for what they did for the country!
I think God is using the American military in Afghan to open up the country for the gospel! So, thank God for what our troops are doing there. I saw it first hand!
The Taliban fighters in Afghanistan need Christ. They are motivated by various things. However they all need to catch the heavenly vision of Christ’s kingdom. May they come to see that God’s good and righteous will can really be done on earth as it is in heaven (Mt. 6:10).
We’re doing a study on the Nuristani people for our Perspectives course. We are wondering where the information on the 2 Pashtun believers who risked their lives to bring the gospel to the Nuristani long ago, came from. We can’t find it anywhere else. We’d really appreciate any more information you can give us on this for our study.
As an American and a Muslim, I find it disturbing that a site like this is promoting exactly what it is trying to eliminate:Islamophobia. Let’s get this straight, I find this site to be insulting and insensitive to Afghans and Muslims alike as it uses our beloved month of Ramadan as a tool to misguide us as well as the missionaries’ blatant disregard for the culture and religion of the Afghan people. God, protect the Afghans and guide these missionaries to Islam, ameen. God, show Your True Self,ameen.
Al information on this site are true and I really appreciate all effort for the people who are trying to better my people and my home land , and about the pray I must say that it doesn’t matter who is praying, God always accept if you pray from your heart .
And yes if any body needed any New information about Nuristan please contact to me Muhib_nuristani@yahoo.com
It would be my pleaser to provide any kind of information about Nuristan