Posts Tagged East Africa

The of irony of natural disasters

October 3, 2011 at 4:20 pm · Filed under Collaboration, Drought, East Africa, Humanitarian, Monsoon, Pakistan ·Tagged , , , , ,

Humanitarian work sometimes brings up irony in the form of two humanitarian disasters, in two parts of the world which are complete opposites. East Africa is in the midst of a drought while Pakistan – a little over a year since the worst floods had hit the country in 80 years – has been besieged by monsoons.

Currently there are nearly 60 countries in which there is a requirement for humanitarian relief and aid. No country is immune from natural disasters and tornadoes in USA or earthquakes in Japan both earlier this year have shown us. No matter how developed a country is, it can lose everything in a single go. While countries such as Japan and the USA have the resources and finances to get back on their feet, countries such as Ethiopia, Somalia and Pakistan do not.

In the charity sector, we don’t know where the next emergency will be. We have to be ready to get up and work at a moments’ notice- every part of an organisation doing its part to ensure that clear coordination lead to aid reaching the people it needs to get to.

We have to remember that the next humanitarian alert can be moments away. It could be a flood, earthquake, drought or famine. We don’t know where it will strike next – but we must be ready.

By Mohammad Shakir

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The Rain Prayer: an update

September 23, 2011 at 4:30 pm · Filed under East Africa, Somalia, Travelling ·Tagged , , , ,

This afternoon, thousands of Muslims at Friday prayer joined the millions around Somalia in praying for rain. Salatul Istisqa took place in mosques and camps around Somalia with the humble request for rain and an end to the drought.

Here are some pictures taken in Mogadishu:

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The Rain Prayer

September 22, 2011 at 3:34 pm · Filed under Drought, East Africa, Humanitarian, Muslim Charities, Somalia, Travelling ·Tagged , , ,

Tomorrow, MCF is supporting a Rain Prayer which is taking place around Somalia. Organised with Qatar Charity all who are participating in the prayer will be praying for rain.

The prayer, Salatul Istisqa, has to be prayed in the region that is affected by the lack of rain. Taking place in Mogadishu, Baidoa and Lower Shabelle; the prayer will take place after Jummah (Firday) prayers.

The prayer consists of two rak’at (units). In the first rak’ah, the imam recites Surah Al-A’la after Surah Al-Fatihah. And in the second rak’ah, he recites Surah Al-Ghashiyah after Al-Fatihah, after which he delivers a khutbah (sermon).  before or after the salah. As soon as he finishes the khutbah, the people present turn their outer garments around, each placing its left side on his right side and its right side on his left, face the qiblah, supplicating Allah and raising their hands while doing so.

There is something quite amazing about this. I personally have never performed one nor have I been in the presence of a Salatul Istisqa, but from the videos and images that I have seen it seems like an intense, emotional and spiritual experience where you pray your hardest for something that gives all beings sustenance.

Inshallah, I will be there is spirit and after my Friday prayer I will pray that the Salatul Istisqa prayed tomorrow is accepted and that the plight of all affected by the drought and famine is lifted.

By Mohammad Shakir

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