Franklin Graham’s visit to Nagaland cancelled

KOHIMA — The anticipated visit of Rev. Franklin Graham to Nagaland on November 30 has been cancelled due to visa restrictions, the organisers announced on Friday.

The decision comes after weeks of preparation by the Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship (KBPF), the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), and the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF).

Rev. Franklin Graham—a Christian evangelist and son of the late Dr. Billy Graham—had been scheduled to visit the state more than 50 years after his father’s historic 1972 crusade in Kohima, remembered as the “Kohima Miracle.”

Dr. Billy Graham’s last visit drew over one lakh people and remains a significant chapter in Nagaland’s Christian history. A road in Kohima was later named Billy Graham Road in his honour.

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Announcing the change, KBPF president Rev. Dr. Rokovilie Sachu said in a video message that although Franklin Graham could not travel, the programme would continue “as a time for the Naga church to rise together, pray together, and worship together.”

Rev. Robert Cunville, associate evangelist of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and a key leader during Dr. Billy Graham’s 1972 visit, will now deliver the sermon at the November 30 gathering at the Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS) in Kohima.

The organisers said the event will continue on the theme, ‘Nagaland United: A Gathering of Faith, Hope & Revival.’

Gates will open at 2 pm and the event will feature a mass choir of more than 700 members from various tribal churches, a special song by Christian singer Terrence, and praise and worship led by Bozio Nienu & Team.

In a separate communiqué, the organisers said the cancellation was due to circumstances “beyond our control.” They reaffirmed that the event would continue with renewed purpose and encouraged the public to participate.

On November 27, during an event in Kohima, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had said that the government of India had assured him that the visa clearance for Franklin Graham would be processed “by today,” and expressed hope that the evangelist would arrive before the Hornbill Festival.

Graham had also been scheduled to attend the festival as chief guest on December 1.

Despite the efforts, the visa did not come through.

Extensive transportation arrangements have been put in place for the November 30 programme, with free transport available from designated pickup points across Kohima from 12 pm onwards.

The organisers said a detailed traffic advisory, including shuttle routes and parking instructions, will be issued on Sunday.