In the Darkest Hours

Bright, Shining Light

Several weeks ago, a horrific story of murder emerged from Kabul.

In life, Farkhunda would have been an unlikely role model for empowering Afghanistan's women.  Every day, she wore the head-to-toe black garment favored by conservative Muslim women. She studied at an Islamic religious school. She believed, her father said, that women should be educated in order to raise their children in a good way, manage their house and make their husbands happy.

In death, however, Farkhunda has become a champion for women's rights and the rule of law. The 27-year-old's brutal murder by a mob last week has galvanized this nation in a way no other recent atrocity has. It has unleashed a society's deep-rooted frustrations with the unchecked violence in everyday life, highlighting the continuing struggle between Afghanistan's ancient customs and modern laws. . . .

She was accused of burning a Quran, a crime punishable by death in Afghanistan, according to Islamic law - a crime authorities later said she did not commit.  Although details are unclear, some witnesses suggested that the attack was sparked by a dispute Farkhunda had with the mosque's imam. Whatever the case, the mob was bent on killing her in the most horrific manner. They dragged her body with a car, then burned it and threw it into the Kabul River.

It took two hours to murder her, the brutality unfolding as hundreds of people and armed policemen watched, doing nothing to save Farkhunda from her assailants. The neighborhood police headquarters was about a five-minute walk from the mosque. Many witnesses shot photos and videos with their smartphones.  [Stuff]

We are told that many Muslims are departing their religion in disgust at such violence.
  We also hear that many are becoming Christians.  These folk do not buy the religion of Western secularism with its libertinism and atheism.  They respond with believing faith when they hear of the Prince of Peace who laid down His life for His own.

We are reminded that a constant theme amongst Maori (the pre-European occupants of New Zealand) upon hearing the Gospel of Christ, believed.  They had become tired and weary of the incessant bloodshed and cruelty and vengeance regnant amongst constantly warring Maori tribes.  It is also true that motives and interests were mixed.  Clearly the technological superiority of Europeans was of great interest.  The need to get hands on muskets, once the northern chief, Hongi Hika secured a large supply, was an imperative for tribal defence.  But the resulting increased bloodshed caused many to yearn all the more for a better way.

Many chiefs and tribal leaders actively sought out missionaries, entreating them to come and teach them the way of the Lord.  New Zealand became host to one of the fastest growing churches in the world at the time.  A common theme was a desire to turn away from the existence of incessant fighting and death. 

It seems, then, that an appropriate prayer to God in the face of Islamic violence--most of which is perpetrated by Muslims upon other Muslims--would be to remind Him of the sickness-unto-death that led many Maori to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ in the nineteenth century.  It would be appropriate to pray that He would be pleased to work similarly amongst Muslims and Muslim nations today.  When men are so desperate believing that all hope is lost, it often pleases God to lift up His victorious outstretched arm.

The scriptures are full of admonitions to remember what God has done, in order to understand and pray for what He will do.