Special prayers held across Kashmir amid heatwave, dry spell

Srinagar : As Kashmir faces an intense heat wave and a prolonged dry spell, special prayers for rain, known as ‘Salatul Istisqa,’ were held on Friday. A large gathering of people congregated in the Maloora area on the outskirts of the city to offer these prayers, seeking relief from the drought-like conditions.
Reports said sermons across all the masjids in the valley. The people became emotional during the congregation prayers, pleading for rainfall to alleviate the harsh conditions affecting agriculture and horticulture.
A local resident exiting a Srinagar masjid said, “It is getting warmer with every passing day. It is getting unbearable now. There is agriculture and horticulture which are drying up. We need rainfall to save our crops.”
In the Maloora area, a large gathering of people participated in the ‘Salatul Istisqa’ prayers, seeking an end to the dry weather conditions. The faithful were seen crying and raising their hands in supplication, asking for respite from the unprecedented dry spell and heat wave.
Abdul Majeed, a local, expressed his concern: “It is a drought-like situation across Kashmir. If it does not rain, what will we eat? Our survival depends on water. Our vegetables, fruits, and paddy fields are turning dry. We pray before Almighty Allah for rain.”
Aijaz Ahmad, another local from Maloora, said that the people organised the special prayer session in an open field as a collective plea for forgiveness and relief from the ongoing heat and drought conditions.