The Modern City of Bhopal

The modern city was developed by Dost Mohammed Khan, an Afghan chief who was the Governor of Bhopal. He took advantage of the confusion following the death of the Aurangzeb (the last of the great Mughal emperors) in 1707 to carve out a small kingdom for himself. The fact that Bhopal remained under Muslim dominance for a long period is evident from its large number of mosques and large Muslim population. Hindi and Urdu are the main languages spoken there.

20,000 Die in Bhopal

In the early hours of 3 December 1984, Bhopal experienced one of the world's worst industrial accidents, when a terrifying cloud of toxic gas escaped from a pesticide factory. This happened in the old city area, which is populated predominantly by Muslims. About 20,000 people died, while thousands of others were maimed or injured. The grim after-effects of the accident continue to affect at least 100,000 people, who suffer health problems linked to the disaster.

Bhopal's Complexion

About 25 per cent of Bhopal's 1.8 million people are Muslim, including perhaps 300,000 Sunni Muslims living in the old city. The majority are semi-literate, and many are unemployed. The city itself is ringed by approximately 300 slum areas. Owing to poor literacy and religious discrimination (Hindus against Muslims), it is difficult for Muslims to get government jobs. Muslims often work as mechanics, artisans and small shopkeepers. Their women have even more difficulty finding employment, and the future for their children is generally bleak. Serious riots between Hindus and Muslims have broken out in the past. The present local government is committed to providing security for the Muslim minority.

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There is no long-established or focused ministry among Muslims in Bhopal. Recently, at least one Christian couple has decided to work specifically among Bhopal's Muslims to make the gospel known to them. Both the husband and the wife (from a Muslim background) need special prayer. Three people have been water-baptised recently.

Prayer for India:

* Pray that the Christians in Bhopal will seek the peace of the city (Jer 29:7).

* Pray that Christians will be unafraid to show the love of the Lord Jesus to their Muslim neighbours and to proclaim God's truth to them (Acts 28:30-31).

* Thank God for Indian Bible schools and pray that many well-equipped Indian workers will be prepared for ministry among Muslims.

* Pray for the transformation of the city. Pray against injustice, exploitation, corruption, crime and communal violence, which dominate some aspects life in Bhopal.

* Pray for the health and well-being of those Muslim people still suffering the effects of the 1984 industrial accident.

* Pray for God to open the hearts of Muslims in Bhopal so they realise who He really is (Acts 16:14).

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