Amid dry weather, people in Kashmir offer special prayers for rains, snow

Srinagar, Jan 12: Amid prolonged dry weather in Kashmir, special prayers –  Salaatul-Istisqa – were offered at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid (Grand Mosque) on Friday where people sought forgiveness and divine intervention for much-needed rain and snowfall.

Prayers were offered in various mosques, dargahs, shrines and imambaras of Kashmir for relief from drought and bad weather conditions.  And in these gatherings, the imams of the mosques and the scholars urged the people to seek forgiveness in the court of their Lord.

The prevailing weather conditions in Kashmir and the severe drought in this season have affected the agriculture and horticulture sectors as well as causing severe hardship and suffering to the people. Due to this dry weather condition, the winter tourist season of Kashmir is also getting badly affected.

Several people at Jamia Masjid Srinagar told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they had gathered to seek forgiveness and to offer Salaatul-Istisqa which are offered on occasions of calamity for God’s mercy and compassion.

Notably, the prolonged dry spell has raised widespread concerns with a possible impact on agricultural activities and water sources during summer season in the valley.

As soon as the people gathered in the grand mosque, the air resonated with prayers for mercy and relief from the arid conditions.

Leading the congregation and seeking forgiveness, the Imaam sought blessings for the timely arrival of precipitation.

Anjuman-i-Auqaf Jama Masjid said Istisqa prayer was organized  immediately after the Friday prayer to seek respite from the dry spell, in which a large number of people participated for God’s mercy and blessings.

Not only the water reservoirs of Kashmir have dried up, people are facing several health problems in the form of various respiratory diseases.