Aga Hassan urges prayer amid ongoing heatwave, drought

Srinagar, July 28: Anjuman Sharie Shian President Aga Syed Hassan Mousvi Safvi has the people of Kashmir to engage in “repentance”, saying the region’s severe climate challenges are due to “divine displeasure”.
With continuous heat waves and prolonged drought, the situation has become dire, transforming once-fertile paddy fields into barren lands and leaving orchards desperate for rain, he said in a statement.
Aga Syed Hassan urged the people to seek forgiveness and turn to prayer. “The harsh conditions could be a sign of Allah Almighty’s unhappiness. The lack of rainfall has devastated crops, threatening the region’s agricultural stability,” he said.
“The extended drought and relentless heat waves are clear indications of a significant environmental crisis. Our paddy fields have turned into rocks, and orchards are starving for rain,” Aga said. “We must come together in prostration and repentance to seek Allah’s mercy.”
He said the rapid melting of glaciers poses a severe threat, further destabilizing the local ecosystem. The agricultural sector, the backbone of Kashmir’s economy, is suffering immensely, with crops dying due to the lack of essential rainfall, he added.
Local authorities and environmental experts are also urging for sustainable practices and better water management to cope with the crisis. However, the appeal by Aga Syed Hassan highlights the deep-rooted cultural and religious significance of seeking repentance in times of adversity, the Anjuman said in the statement, adding, “Aga Syed Hassan’s message resonates deeply, calling for unity, prayer, and proactive measures to address the escalating environmental challenges.”