Muslim faithful in Osogbo, Osun, and its surrounding areas have organised a special intercessory prayer for rain, scheduled for Sunday, August 17, 2024.
News About Nigeria reports that this comes in response to a three-month drought that has affected the state.
The Chief Imam of Osogbo, Shaykh Musa Animasahun, issued a statement inviting Muslims, regardless of their affiliations, to gather at the Osogbo Eid praying ground to seek rain from Allah.
The prayer, which will take place at 8 am at the new Eid ground on Ibokun Road, Osogbo, is not only aimed at invoking beneficial rain but also at asking for peace in Osogbo and its environs.
The statement specifically called on various Islamic groups, including Jumaat leading Imams, Ratibi Imams, Madrasat students, and members of different Islamic sects like Tijaniyat, Qadiriyat, and the MSS, to participate in the prayer.
“The Grand Imam invites all Jumaat leading Imaams and their jamaat, all Ratibi Imaams and their jamaat, all Madrasat, all alasalatu, the Saidas, all Tijaniyat, all Qadiriyat, the MSS, Jamaat Ahlu Sunnah, all Muslims in Osogbo land to the special prayer to invoke for a beneficial raining,” it added.
The prolonged drought has severely impacted farmers in the state, who have been dealing with irregular rainfall due to climate change and other factors.
Farmers expressed concern over their disrupted planting season, with crops suffering from a lack of adequate water.
The situation has become critical, as the usual heavy rains expected during June, July, and August have not materialised, leading to stunted growth and poor crop yield.
