Day 10 - Ghazni – The Forgotten City

Mahmud Ghaznavid, whose empire stretched from Persia all the way across north India.  The resistant Pashtuns finally capitulated to Islam through joining this famous warrior in conquering and plundering in the name of Allah.  Only two victory towers and the tomb of Mahmud of Ghazni remain to commemorate his fame.  As the empire crumbled, so did the city’s glory and it remained a forgotten city for hundreds of years.  British troops blew open its hitherto impregnable gates 160 year ago in revenge for the massacre by Pashtuns of 17,000 retreating British subjects including women and children.  The Taliban were strongly entrenched here for more than six years until 2001.  This Pashtun-dominated city is very conservative, with women wearing the full veil.  Though Hazaras, the ethnic enemies of the Afghan Pashtuns, make up nearly half of the population, they co-exist in relative peace in the city of Ghazni.  The primary sources of income are agriculture (wheat, grapes and other fruits), livestock, and trade.  Aid and development have been slow to make their way here, despite increased accessibility by road and pleasant climate.  However, the city has not been forgotten by the Lord!

 Pray that: 

• That the peace of Ghazni will continue and the dividing walls between Pashtuns and Hazaras will be brought down in Christ.
• As Pashtuns capitulated to Islam, may they capitulate once again, this time to the Prince of Peace, and bear His message along the same lines that Islam traveled a millennium ago.
• The gates of Ghazni lie open today for work and witness.  They feel forgotten in the eyes of the world and aid community.  Who will go and bring the gospel of peace to a city known for conquering?

Psalms 24:7 Lift up your heads, O you gates: lift them, you ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in!