Jordanians pray for rain

AMMAN — Around one hundred Jordanians gathered at Al Hussein Youth City in Amman on Monday afternoon to perform the Istisqaa prayer.

The special Muslim prayer for rain is a ritual practised since the time of Prophet Mohammad.

Monday's event was organised by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs due to the lack of rainfall during the current wet season. 

Since a snowstorm hit the Kingdom last December, the country has not received any substantial rainfall. 

Abdul Rahman Abdah, assistant secretary general at the Awqaf Ministry, led the prayers in the capital and addressed worshippers on its significance and past examples.

"When people despair in the face of hardship, they have no one but God to turn to, asking for His mercy and help," he told The Jordan Times following the prayer. 

Prophet Mohammad used to perform the Istisqaa prayer whenever there was a drought, Abdah said, adding that this ritual can be performed several times in the same season.

He expressed his disappointment over the low turnout, attributing it to the timing of the event and the distance. 

"Similar prayers were also performed across the Kingdom," he added.

Abdullah Ali, one of the worshippers who performed the Istisqaa prayer, said it was the first time he had performed the ritual, adding that the absence of rainfall motivated him to take part. 

"It will really get dangerous if the situation prevails like this during winter," he noted. 

Jordan depends on rain to replenish underground aquifers and reservoirs, the main source of its domestic water supply.

The Kingdom has no major rivers or lakes to meet the demands of its over six million people.

Mohammad Abdullah, who brought his children to attend the prayers, noted that Jordan suffers from a severe shortage of water, voicing hope that it will rain soon. 

"The lack of rain will have negative consequences in the summer," he said.

But he criticised the timing of the Istisqaa prayer, pointing out that most people were still working at the time of the event.

"They could have held it during the weekend," Abdullah suggested.   

Seven-year-old Leen Hamid said she wanted to join her father in performing the prayer after she learned about its importance.

"I hope that God will listen to our prayers."