Muslims in Iraqi Kurdistan hold prayers for rain

SULAIMANI/ERBIL,— Residents of the Arbata area in Sulaimani city gathered on Friday for the “Rain Prayer,” following a period of drought that has affected Iraqi Kurdistan region this year.

The prayer, a religious tradition in Islam, was performed due to concerns over the region’s low rainfall, which has impacted agriculture and threatened grain crops.

The prayer was attended by local residents and religious leaders, marking a collective effort to invoke divine intervention for rainfall. This year, the region has experienced significantly less rainfall compared to previous years. In some areas, no rain has fallen at all, sparking concerns over food security and crop production.

A local cleric explained that the Rain Prayer, or “Salaat al-Istisqa,” is an Islamic tradition dating back to the Prophet Muhammad. It is typically performed during times of drought or dry spells to ask for God’s mercy and blessings for rain. The prayer is usually conducted in an open area, with men, women, and children all participating.

In the capital of the Kurdish region, Erbil, a similar prayer was held in response to the ongoing drought. Islamic religious leaders and local officials participated in the prayer, with the Governor of Erbil, Omed Khoshnaw, addressing the challenges faced by the region.

Khoshnaw emphasized that the effects of drought in the region have been felt for the past four years. “The issue of drought cannot be solved in a single year,” he stated, adding that the amount of rain that has fallen this year is not enough to offset the cumulative impact of previous dry years. “According to scientific studies, the effects of drought last for up to three years,” Khoshnaw explained.

Muslim Kurds prayer for rain in Erbil — Muslim Kurds praying for rain in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, January 2025 Photo: Rudaw TV

Religious leaders participating in the Rain Prayer echoed these concerns, emphasizing that the tradition of praying for rain is rooted in Islamic history. “This prayer is a Sunnah, as confirmed by authentic Hadiths and the practice of the early generations of Islam,” said one religious scholar following the ceremony.

The Rain Prayer consists of two units, or rak’ahs, similar to the Eid prayer. After the opening takbeer (glorification), the prayer is performed, invoking blessings from God for rain. It is an important ritual for Muslims, particularly during challenging weather conditions.

Critics of Rain Prayer Raise Concerns

The practice of praying for rain has been a central part of Islamic tradition for centuries, but in the context of Iraq’s ongoing water crisis, some feel it is an outdated and ineffective response.

Critics argue that instead of turning to religion to solve tangible problems, more attention should be focused on modernizing agricultural practices, improving water infrastructure, and investing in drought-resistant crops.

Some say, “If the rain comes late, some will call it a miracle. The real concern is that some people still believe divine intervention is the only answer, even though there is no scientific evidence to back up those claims.

Every time it doesn’t rain, people gather and pray as if God will simply fix everything. They’re looking for miracles instead of using their brains to come up with practical solutions. The region has suffered from drought for years—why has no one done anything meaningful to prevent it?”

Others point to a lack of education and awareness in parts of the Middle East, including Iraqi Kurdistan, as a contributing factor to the persistence of such beliefs.

These critics argue that a reliance on religious practices rather than modern scientific and technological solutions for managing water resources may hinder the region’s development.

Despite the controversy, performing the Rain Prayer remains a practiced tradition among some religious groups in Iraq’s Kurdish regions, where faith plays a central role in addressing natural challenges.

(With files from Rudaw | NRT)