Somalia's Puntland residents urged to fast and pray for rain amid devastating drought
The Islamic prayer for rain, known as Salat al-Istisqa, is a sunnah (non-obligatory) prayer typically performed in an open area, much like Eid prayers.
The public in Puntland State, located in northeastern Somalia, has been called upon to observe three days of fasting from Saturday to Monday, culminating in communal prayers on the third day, to seek divine intervention for rainfall and mercy amid biting drought and famine.
The appeal was made in a statement by the Ministry of Justice, Constitution, Religious Affairs and Rehabilitation, signed by Minister Mohamed Abdiwahab Mohamed.
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“In accordance with the teachings and practices of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) regarding rain-seeking prayers, we urge the public to fast for three days from Saturday to Monday, with the prayers for rain to be held on the final day. We must come out of our homes to beseech Allah. We must also forgive one another, uphold Allah’s commands, and care for the needy. The rain prayers will be held between 7 am and 10 am,” the statement read.
The Islamic prayer for rain, known as Salat al-Istisqa, is a sunnah (non-obligatory) prayer typically performed in an open area, much like Eid prayers. Muslims believe that all matters, good or bad, are decreed by Allah and that during times of drought or delayed rainfall, it is essential to seek forgiveness, fast, and turn to Allah in prayer.
Urgent humanitarian appeal
On Tuesday, Puntland’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Ubah Abdirashid Mohamed, issued an urgent appeal for humanitarian aid, warning that the worsening water shortage is endangering lives.
“Communities are travelling long distances in search of water for human and livestock consumption. This increases the risk of displacement, waterborne diseases, and inter-communal conflict over diminishing resources,” Minister Ubah said in her appeal.
The drought has struck at a time when Puntland is also embroiled in an intense conflict with ISIS militants entrenched in the Al-Miskaad and Cal Madow mountain ranges. This dual crisis has intensified the suffering of the population, particularly among vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly, who are bearing the brunt of both environmental and security challenges.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), around six million people in Somalia require humanitarian assistance this year due to the compounded impacts of conflict and climate-related shocks.
Earlier this year, in January, the Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) warned of the dire implications of failed rains, stressing the urgent need to scale up support for at-risk populations across Puntland and other vulnerable states.
“With the last rainy season (Deyr 2024) having failed and the upcoming one (Gu’ 2025) predicted to be below average, now is the time to anticipate and prepare for a potentially prolonged drought that could extend across multiple seasons,” SoDMA Commissioner Mohamud Moallim said during a joint press conference with the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Mogadishu.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reports that, due to prolonged conflict and climatic shocks, Somalia is currently home to approximately 3.3 million internally displaced persons, many of whom are living in precarious conditions in makeshift camps across the country.
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