[Today's Prayer] Afghan Women Arrested for "Hijab Violations"; Two Killed During Protest Crackdown

Afghanistan's Taliban authorities have arrested at least 30 women on charges of violating regulations concerning women's dress, including the hijab. United Nations agencies report that at least two people were killed during the suppression of protests against the arrests.

According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), on June 9 in the western Afghan city of Herat, Taliban police opened fire on and beat demonstrators protesting the mass arrests of women. At least two people were killed and more than twenty others were injured.

(Omitted)

Two witnesses told AFP that they saw police forces firing weapons. One witness also reported seeing police use batons and whips.

(Omitted)

The Taliban's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice issued a statement claiming that reports of women being arrested in Herat were completely unfounded rumors, while emphasizing that "wearing the hijab is God's command and a law that must be observed."

Source: Yonhap News

"Nevertheless He regarded their distress when He heard their cry; and for their sake He remembered His covenant, and relented according to the abundance of His steadfast love. He caused them to be pitied by all those who held them captive." (Psalm 106:44–46)

Heavenly Father, we hear the heartbreaking news that the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan arrested thirty women on accusations of violating dress regulations such as the hijab, and that two people were killed and more than twenty others injured during the suppression of protests against these arrests.

Lord, please have mercy on our Afghan sisters who have lost their freedom and are suffering under oppression. We ask that You personally care for them in their pain and distress.

Please comfort the families of those who lost their lives during the Taliban's violent crackdown, and visit those who were injured so that their bodies and hearts may be restored.

Lord, remember Your love and promises for the Afghan people. Have compassion on the Afghan nation, which has suffered and groaned under Taliban rule for many years. In Your loving kindness, show them mercy. Be the true King of Afghanistan, and govern the nation with Your holiness and justice.

We also ask You to remember the church in Afghanistan. Even amid persecution and suffering, may believers remember the covenant of our Lord, who promised that He would come again. Empower them to fulfill their holy calling by sharing words of love with neighbors who need the Gospel and with women who are suffering.

To this end, may the global Church continually pray for the people of Afghanistan. May declarations of faith and prayers for Afghanistan bear fruit, bringing peace and the authority of forgiveness of sins to the nation.

And may the Afghan people one day rise above their suffering and go out among all nations, comforting those who are hurting with the message of Jesus Christ's love and leading them to the Father as faithful disciples of Christ. Amen.