Kairouan
Ask any Tunisian, they will know: Kairouan is the fourth Holy City of Islam. It earned the title 1300 years ago when it was established for the purpose of spreading Islam across North Africa. It has been called “A Lighthouse for Islam for all Time”… but we trust in the One who has promised a new name.
In the city is the oldest mosque in North Africa, and it boasts the oldest minaret in the world. Nearby rests a saint’s tomb called “Sidi Sahbi.” Here is buried a companion of Mohammed, a barber who once cut Mohammed’s hair. The barber opened the skin on his arm, inserted some hair and let the skin grow over it, so the great man’s hair was always with him. People come to the tomb to request healing, blessing and favor. If their request is granted, they must keep a “pledge” or a promise that they made to the saint, often involving a gift of food for the poor.
Although it is reputed to be a Holy City, Kairouan is one of the least desirable places to live or even work in the minds of Tunisians. It is considered conservative to the point of being backward. There is an oppressive atmosphere of hopelessness over the city, and people are considered “hardhearted.”
“Never again will you be called ‘The Forsaken City’ or ‘The Desolate Land.’ Your new name will be ‘The City of God’s Delight’ and ‘The Bride of God’ for the Lord delights in you and will claim you as His bride. They will be called ‘The Holy People’ and ‘The People Redeemed by the Lord.’ And Jerusalem will be known as ‘The Desirable Place’ and ‘The City No Longer Forsaken’” (Isaiah 62:4,12).
We recognize that in this identity, our conflict has little to do with the people themselves, it is with spiritual powers and principalities and strongholds that we wrestle. We ask you to join us in inviting angelic hosts to claim this city for the new name that God has declared: The City of Praise, The City of God’s Delight (Isaiah 62:4,12). They will be the people redeemed of the Lord, known as The Desirable Place and The City No Longer Forsaken.