Introduction / History

Ever since the USSR invaded Afghanistan in 1979 there have been waves of Afghan refugees fleeing for safety. Most of them have wound up in either neighboring Pakistan or Iran, but some have made their way to the more peaceful shores of European countries including Switzerland.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Afghans in Switzerland are desperate to get away from the violence in their own country and to re-locate to a peaceful land. A high percentage of Afghanistan’s population would like to leave the country now that the Taliban is in power, but countries like Switzerland can only take in so many. Those who have marketable skills are usually able to relocate while those without such skills are not welcome in places like Switzerland. The latter group often gets stuck in refugee camps. Most Afghans are trying to go to Switzerland are young males.
There is an ongoing back and forth regarding how many Afghan refugees to allow into Switzerland. Obtaining refugee status is contingent upon having a direct threat to life and limb in Afghanistan. According to the Red Cross, those who apply to asylum sometimes forge threatening letters from the Taliban. This makes the Swiss even more skeptical of allowing Afghans to settle in their peaceful country.

What Are Their Beliefs?

There are three large ethnic groups in Afghanistan: The Pashtuns and Tajiks are Sunni Muslims, and the Hazaras are Shia. They are dedicated to the religious system we call Islam, though they all have their pre-Islamic beliefs as well.

What Are Their Needs?

It is not helping anyone when refugees cannot contribute to the economy of the host country. The Afghans in Switzerland desperately need job training and the opportunity to do something constructive. Christian believers can provide these services to Afghans in Switzerland.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to move in Afghan communities in such a way that they tire of the old ways of violence and seek holiness, which they will only find in the person of Jesus Christ.
Pray for believers to teach marketable job skills and the local language to these people who are desperate to find a safe homeland.
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among Afghans in Switzerland.

Scripture Prayers for the Afghani, general in Switzerland.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_diaspora
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/why-asylum-in-switzerland-remains-elusive-for-afghan-refugees/48365678
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/switzerland-divided-on-taking-afghan-refugees/46896730
https://borgenproject.org/refugees-in-switzerland/
https://lenews.ch/2022/12/30/more-than-a-third-of-asylum-seekers-arriving-in-switzerland-from-afghanistan/