Hazara in Afghanistan

Hazara in Afghanistan

pronounced: huh-ZAH-ruh

The Hazara are a people of distinctions - set apart from fellow Afghans by religion, mixed ethnicity, and an independent nature - and they have suffered for them. Persecution has shaped and defined the Hazara. They face discrimination as Shi'ite Muslims, a minority among Afghanistan's dominant Sunni Muslims, as well as for ethnic bias. They likely descended from Mongol soldiers left behind by Genghis Khan in the 13th century, with considerable Turkish admixture. A talented people, the Hazara truly enjoy poetry.

Ministry Obstacles

Afghanistan provides many obstacles to Christian testimony. Spiritual opposition is only one aspect of the difficulties.

Outreach Ideas

Much prayer is needed to prepare the hearts of the Hazara to understand and believe the good news about Jesus. Christians also need to be genuinely concerned about the physical needs of the Hazara, and seek to find ways to minister to them.

Scripture Focus

"Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants."  2 Timothy 2:25-26

Scripture Prayer

Pray for new believers to have mercy and love for those who are abusive. Pray that they will intercede in prayer for them.

Prayer Focus

Pray for the few Christian believers among the Hazara. They are doubly persecuted, being both Hazara and Christian. Pray they will not waver in their commitment to Christ. Pray they will faithfully strengthen each other through fellowship. Pray that persons and households of peace will be found among the Hazara, who will catalyze movements to Jesus among their own people. The Hazara have responded to the Gospel of Christ in small numbers, possibly because they have been outsiders in the Afghan culture. Pray the Lord's Spirit will continue to work among them, giving many a desire to learn of Christ. Pray each person in the Hazara community will have at least one opportunity to hear clearly of who Jesus is, and how they can know him.