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The people of Gaza pray for much-needed rain

February 20, 2014 at 3:31 pm

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Due to the ongoing shortage of fresh water in the still beleaguered territory, a result of the damage caused by Israel’s Operation Cast Lead nearly two years ago, the people of Gaza have been holding communal prayers for rain. The Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyeh, took part in Salaat al-Istisqa along with several other ministers and deputies of the Palestinian Legislative Council and a large number of Gaza’s citizens. “We raise our hands in submission and ask God to bless us with rain from the heavens above,” he intoned.


The prayer was led by Sheikh Salman, who reiterated the importance of drawing closer to God, asking His forgiveness and turning to Him in times of need and great difficulty. The Sheikh reminded the congregation of the importance of calling people towards good and righteousness, and forbidding wrongdoing and immoral acts, and to stop any forms of corruption amongst the people. “You should not consider the greatness of the sin, but look at the greatness of the Most Merciful, ‘And repent to Allah with sincere repentance’, as the Qur’an says,” he added.

The prayer for rain is an established practice of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

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MEMO Photographer: Mohammed Asad