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'Ishtiqa' prayers seeking rains performed at Aligarh University
by Devender Aligarh
(Uttar Pradesh): A large number of Muslims on Saturday offered 'Ishtiqa' or,
special prayers, seeking an end to the prolonged dry spell, and rain, from the
God, here at the AMU. Organised at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) students,
professors and local residents, participated in the prayers seeking divine intervention
for a good monsoon ahead, which is essential for agriculture and otherwise. The
Ishtiqa, or rain prayers, is offered in seclusion, away from population, wherein
people seek forgiveness for their ill deeds and pray to God for rains, and to
put an end to their miseries. "This is the 'ishtiqa' namaz, meaning prayer for
rain. This is a special namaz that is offered far from population, in an 'Idgah',
mosque or in an open space, people seek forgiveness for their bad deeds, and pray
to god for rains and satiate the parched land," said Mohammed Zahid, a professor
at the Aligarh Muslim University. Irregular pattern of rains and delay in monsoon
has made people concerned different parts of the country, as the largely agriculture
based economy is influenced by rains. Farm production depends heavily on the timely
arrival of rains. The monsoon weather phenomenon usually covers the entire country
by mid-July to indicate the overall trends of India's GDP. But this time the delayed
monsoon has left people concerned. -July
26, 2009 |
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