Hundreds of Muslims gathered on Sunday at the Twaif grounds to pray for rainfall following a lengthy drought that has left thousands hungry and in need.
Salat Al-Istiqa prayers in Islam are particularly intended to beseech God for showers so that people, plants, and animals can bloom again after a long period of drought.
Animal sacrifice was also performed during the prayer session to please God into hearing their cries.
The faithful came from all around the archipelago, including Faza, Kizingitini, Lamu, and Kiwayu.
According to the county food security steering group, at least 100,000 families and over 300,000 cattle in Lamu are in desperate need of food and water.
Witu, Pandanguo, Maisha Masha, Moa, Hindi, Bar’goni, Basuba, Mangai, Milimani, Mararani, Kiangwe, and Kiunga are among the areas most hit by the drought.
Coast Interfaith Council of Clerics leader Mohamed Abdulkadir, who led the prayers, described the drought as a punishment from Allah and encouraged all Muslims to pray and fast to placate God.
This year, Lamu got just 83mm of rainfall, which is much less than the long-term average-LTA of 284mm, resulting in a 67 percent decrease in the county’s annual rainfall performance.
The preacher urged all Muslims, not just in Lamu, but throughout the country, to pray for an end to natural disasters such as drought and famine, which continue to take countless lives.
“We are human and have erred against God and that is why we see the drought lasting this long. Allah needs us to repent and go back to Him in prayer and fasting. We are confident that our prayers have been heard and that we shall see rains upon this land soon,” Abdulkadir said.
The Lamu Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya chairperson Abubakar Shekuwe urged all Muslims to partake in the prayers to deliver Lamu and the rest of affected areas in Kenya from drought.
He indicated that in Islam, drought is caused by too much sin.
“All it takes is repentance for us to be at par with God again and for Him to bless us. Let us pray for rain upon Lamu,” Shekuwe said.
