Introduction / History The mullah wrote the Arabic Qu 'ran verses with ink pen on a piece of paper, soaked the paper in a cup of water until the ink dissolved in the water and then had the ill girl drink the water, accompanied by memorized Arabic incantations. The ten-year-old girl had been seriously ill for a week with intestinal turmoil and difficulty swallowing, and the family had asked for this special 'folk Islam' ritual.
In a nearby town an Akhvakh family, who had been bothered by a troubling spiritual presence in their home and a string of bad luck, called upon the local exorcist to come and engage in ritualistic work to at first appease the troubling spirits and then seek to overpower and expel them from the family dwelling.
Throughout all the peoples of Dagestan such folk Islam practices are widespread and exist alongside official Islam and its Five Pillars. One Dagestani scholar suggests that such animistic 'folk Islamic' practices are especially strong among the Akhvakh, although not much less so among the other 33 language groups of Dagestan.
Where are they located? The Akhvakh of Dagestan, with their own distinct language, live in 9 major villages or towns in the mountainous region of west central Dagestan, and also in several Akhvakh enclaves in Dagestani urban areas. Names of Akhvakh villages: Tsvakilkolo, Kvankero, Tadmagitl ', Kudiyab-roso, Izano, Lologonitl ', Tliyanub, Tsekob and Rat-lyub
Prayer Points Pray that this same empowered love will find entrance deep into Akhvakh culture. – Good news: in the lowland region of Dagestan, an Akhvakh mother and her teenage daughter have recently come to Jesus; these are the first two known Akhvakh believers.
Pray for representatives of Jesus' matchless grace to become true friends of Akhvakh culture, honoring and helping preserve the unique Akhvakh language.
Pray for doors to open for simple prayer in love in the name of Jesus, as His Word goes out with signs and wonders following (Heb.2:4).
Pray for the two female Akhvakh believers in their relationships with their Akhvakh family & clan relationships—II Cor. 2:14-15. * Pray for translation of the Bible to begin in this people group's primary language. * Pray for the availability of the Jesus Film in the primary language of this people. * Pray for Gospel messages to become available in audio format for this people group.
JP Unreached of Day
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