Salat al-’istisqa: Australian Muslims, Christians pray for rain as bushfire razed over 1200 homes, scores missing

A group of Muslim worshipers have come together in a park to pray for rain amid the worsening drought and bushfire crisis.

More than 50 men, women and children gathered at Bonython Park in Adelaide on Sunday, January 5 to ask Allah for rain to be sent to Australia’s struggling farmers and victims of bushfires.

Prayer for rain is called “salat al-’istisqa” and according to Islamic rulings, the two rakaat prayers are performed during the times of drought to ask Allah for rain.

Muslim News investigations revealed that deadly bushfires are ravaging the Australian landscape, so far destroying 1,200 homes across New South Wales and Victoria. Scores of people including farmers have been declared missing.

In a show of solidarity, a group of Muslim worshipers decided to gather today and offer prayers to Allah for rain.

Priest Patrick McInerney, from the centre for Christian and Muslim Relations, joined the worshipers for prayer.

‘Today I joined with my Muslim sisters and brothers in Adelaide in prayer for rain,’ he said.

My friend, Professor Mohamad Abdalla, gave the khutbah (sermon) emphasising repentance and reliance on God who is the Merciful Provider.’

The service comes a day after pilot Dick Lang, 78, and his 43-year-old son, Clayton, a surgeon, were killed in bushfires on Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia.

The pair had been out fighting the blaze and were returning to a family property when they became trapped.

‘We are devastated to have lost two beloved members of our family, Dick Lang and his youngest son Clayton Lang, in such terrible circumstances,’ the family said in a statement.

South Australia Premier Steven Marshall said the deaths were tragic news.

‘Our hearts go out to the families of those people who have been affected,’ he said.

‘It really does reiterate the very important message that people listen to the alerts. This a very dangerous situation on Kangaroo Island.’

Significant property loss are expected from the fire with many homes and other buildings believed lost along with tourism and other infrastructure.

About 500 firefighters will continue to battle the uncontrolled blaze over the weekend, with crews and other resources brought in from the SA mainland.