Afghanistan (MNN) — The Taliban is pushing Afghanistan towards religious authoritarianism. The new government supports a strict interpretation of Sharia law and has begun molding even the most mundane laws to this standard. Recently, one province banned barbers from shaving beards and playing music.
But this attitude may end up turning the general population away from Islam. John Weaver performed humanitarian aid work in Afghanistan in the late 1990s. He spoke to The Voice of the Martyrs Canada on the topic. “If I’m a follower of Islam, and I see all the fighting and all the oppressiveness, it actually can turn me away from my own worldview. I become discontent or dissatisfied with my own worldview, and therefore I’m open to something else.”
Weaver says the Taliban and their supporters want to see their country flourish. They genuinely believe strict Islamic law will make that happen. Ask the Holy Spirit to change many hearts in Afghanistan.
Mary’s story
Weaver tells the story of one Afghan woman. “Mary, like many Afghans became discontent with her own worldview. She became open to asking questions and discovering spiritual truth. Long story short, God spoke to her in a dream, and she became a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. And now she wants to share the story of God with others.”
Mary travels to the homes of other women to share about Jesus. On the way, she wears her full burqa. But when she arrives, Weaver says, “she’s greeted by some women who are expecting her. They go into the room and take that thing off. And now they’re not hidden. [They celebrate that] God sees them. God loves them. God is with them.”
Mary starts at the Creation story, sharing the truth these women have heard before. She then tells them about the full and final revelation of God in Jesus Christ.
Photo courtesy of Amber Clay from Pixabay.
