[2026 Ramadan] Day 15: Afghanistan, the FM1% to Be Sent to All Nations as the Final Army

Afghanistan, which belongs to the Persian cultural sphere, has a population of 36 million and is an Islamic Emirate that pursues a strong Islamic theocracy. It borders China, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran, and Pakistan. Located at a key crossroads of the Silk Road connecting East and West, it has experienced many wars throughout its history.

From 1996 to 2001, the Taliban ruled Afghanistan under strict Islamic Sharia law, suppressing people’s freedoms and confining the nation in fear through ongoing violence and killings. In response, a longing for true freedom began to arise among the Afghan people.

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, based on information that al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was hiding in Afghanistan, the United States began war against the Afghan Taliban. As the Taliban regime enforcing strict Sharia law was removed and collapsed, the country’s official name changed from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to Afghanistan.

For 20 years, until 2021, U.S. military presence in Afghanistan helped rapidly rebuild the economy. Many teenagers and young adults began receiving education freely, and women were able to secure jobs.

During this time, the gospel spread explosively in Afghanistan. The long persecuted Hazara people—Shiite Muslims and descendants of Genghis Khan —began accepting Jesus at a rapid pace. House churches were established, and as more souls read the Bible and received Jesus, Afghanistan became ranked second in the world among countries experiencing revival.

However, following the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban, thought to have collapsed and vanished after 20 years, resurfaced and seized power. They now rule Afghanistan based on an Islamic theocracy.

As a result, the country’s name was changed back to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Girls over the age of 13 are not allowed to receive education. Women cannot go out alone. Beauty salons and women’s employment are banned. Listening to music in the streets is prohibited. All men are required to attend the mosque, and no other religion is permitted. Strict Sharia law continues to be enforced.

With the reinstatement of Sharia law, countless Afghans fled to neighboring countries to escape the Taliban, creating a vast refugee population. The Hazara people, who had embraced Jesus in the largest number, settled in Pakistan as refugees.

While living as refugees in Pakistan, many Afghans are hearing the message of Jesus, who is the source of love, peace, and salvation, rather than Islam, and are accepting Him.

Recently, Ramadan has begun, but Hazara Afghans living as refugees are eating at home, hiding from public view, believing that Rwmadan has nothing to do with their salvation.

There was Brother D, who, despite his refugee status, accepted Jesus and attended the Youth Vision School. He confessed his desire to live for God, not himself, and his faith grew. However, due to Pakistan's policy of deporting Afghans, the entire family was forced to return to Afghanistan two months ago. Brother D wept and crossed the border, unwilling to return to Afghanistan, where strict Sharia law prevails. Since returning, he has been unable to meet his faith community, living each day under the gaze of those around him and the strict rule of Sharia law, sometimes losing faith. However, he has reclaimed his faith and confessed, "Only Jesus is the Savior, and nothing else is the truth." And today, regardless of his Ramadan fast, Brother D continues to read the Bible in secret. Hallelujah!

We firmly believe that the believers in Afghanistan will dream of God's kingdom and triumphantly move forward in the face of persecution and hardship.

During this Ramadan season in which Afghanistan is governed by strict Sharia law, we believe that through the prayers of the faithful, Afghanistan will rise declaring that the Lord alone is Savior and true Lord. We believe Afghanistan will become the final army, rising as the last warriors who will instead proclaim the gospel to all Muslims!

[Today's Prayer]

1. Even within Afghanistan where strict Islamic law is enforced, may people arise to pray and proclaim the Lord’s salvation!

2. For the Afghan diaspora living as refugees, may this Ramadan period of spiritual thirst become a time of encountering the Lord. May they know God’s dream and become the final warriors who proclaim His gospel, and be sent again to all nations!