Srinagar, Jan 12: Hundreds of people on Friday participated in the ‘Salaatul Istisqa’ – a special prayer to seek rain (and snowfall) at the historic Jamia Masjid in Downtown Srinagar.
Kashmir is currently facing an alarming situation with a prolonged absence of rainfall and snowfall. The ‘Istisqa prayers’ were also conducted at Dargah Hazratbal and other major mosques and shrines across the valley.
Braving the Chillai Kalan – a 40-day harsh winter period, the worshipers were seen shedding tears, earnestly seeking relief from the unprecedented dry weather conditions.
On Thursday, Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) Jammu and Kashmir, a coalition of religious bodies representing various schools of thought, urged mosque Imams to conduct “Salaatul Istisqa” following congregational Friday prayers.
The diverse gathering at Jamia Masjid reflected serious concern over the weather, drawing people from various districts to collectively seek divine intervention and solace during this challenging time
Ghulam Hassan, a local, said they collectively implored Almighty Allah for respite from the unprecedented dry weather conditions during the ‘Chillai Kalan’.
“We cry out before Allah for forgiveness, hoping He will bring an end to this prolonged dry spell that affects not just crops but our entire community,” he said.
Another worshipper, Sajad Khan, said, “While Almighty has the power to do anything, people also bear responsibilities towards the environment. We must awaken and strive for sustainable development. Over the past two decades, we have polluted water bodies.”
Special prayers were also held at Dargah Hazratbal in Srinagar, where hundreds of men and women sought divine intervention to bring an end to the dry spell in Kashmir.
Similarly, prayers were conducted at major mosques and shrines across the valley.
The weather forecast indicates no likelihood of widespread snowfall throughout the Kashmir Valley until January 20.
Kashmir-based independent weather forecaster, Aabid Maqbool said that presently there is a fresh feeble Western disturbance, currently affecting parts of Jammu and Kashmir under its influence,
“There is a 40-50% chance of light snowfall over upper reaches and maximum chances over higher reaches of Ladakh and north Kashmir,” he said.
Aabid said there is a little bit of indication (30-40%) chance of a very light snow spell tonight over Sonamarg followed by 30% Gulmarg and 25% Pahalgam.
“Mostly cloudy weather is forecasted in plains of Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24hrs,” he added.
