Srinagar, Special prayers known as ‘Istisqa’ were held in various mosques, shrines, and religious sites across Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), including the prominent Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, seeking relief from ongoing drought and adverse weather conditions.

According to Kashmir Media Service, religious leaders and imams leading these prayer gatherings called upon the people to seek forgiveness and mercy from Allah Almighty. In response to the dire weather situation affecting the region, Anjuman Auqaf of Jamia Masjid, Srinagar, organized a special ‘Istisqa’ prayer session following the Friday Juma prayers. This event saw significant participation, with attendees fervently praying for divine intervention.

The Anjuman Auqaf released a statement highlighting the severe impact of the current dry spell on IIOJK. The drought has adversely affected the agricultural and horticultural sectors, leading to widespread hardship. Compounding these troubles, the water reservoirs in the Kashmir region are drying up, and the populace is increasingly threatened by various health issues due to the water crisis.

Furthermore, Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi Al-Safvi, a senior leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and President of the Jammu and Kashmir Anjuman Sharie Shian, described the situation as extremely alarming. In his statement, he called for collective and individual prayers for mercy and rain, emphasizing the critical need for divine intervention. He pointed out that the drought is a source of concern not only for those involved in agriculture but also for the general public due to the potential spread of diseases linked to the lack of water.

These prayer sessions underscore the community’s reliance on faith and spirituality to cope with natural calamities and adverse environmental conditions.