IMB 175 Days of Prayer: Pamiris of Central Asia
Pamiris (pah-MEER-ees) - The Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary imam (religious leader) of the Shia Ismailis, was born on December 13, 1936. The Ismailis living around the world, numbering around 15 million people, will celebrate the birth of the Aga Khan, Shah Karim al-Husayni, because it is seen as a time to reflect on what they see as a spiritual bond that connects each Ismaili to the Aga Khan and to show their love, loyalty, and devotion to him. For the Ismailis, the Aga Khan and his hereditary predecessors are divinely inspired and immune from all error and sin. In the Badakhshan region of Tajikistan, most of the population, around 200,000 people and comprising multiple people groups, are Ismaili. The Ismaili religion is synonymous with the words "Pamiri" and "Badakhshan." Most Pamiri homes have a picture of Aga Khan IV hanging in their communal room. Please pray today that Pamiris, as well as Ismailis around the world, will understand that Jesus is the only one who is immune from all sin and is the true and only path of salvation to God.