Low rainfall continues

Garmian villagers turn to sacrificing cattle in hopes of ‘blessed rain’

GARMIAN — Residents of Wali Hayar, a village in the Sarqala subdistrict of Kifri, Garmian, collectively raised funds to purchase and sacrifice three oxen, seeking divine intervention for rainfall.

The village, home to approximately 200 households, organized the initiative with each family contributing according to their means.

This year, much of the Kurdistan Region has experienced low rainfall, heightening concerns among farmers. In the past two weeks, residents in several areas have turned to communal prayers–Salat Al-Istisqa–for rain.

Ahmed Jamal, a resident of Wali Hayar, told 964media, “Due to the lack of sufficient rainfall, the villagers decided to collect money and make sacrifices.”

He added, “We purchased three oxen, amounting to nearly 700 kilograms of meat. The costs were covered by the contributions of all the villagers. On Saturday evening, we distributed the meat in the community.”

Jamal expressed hope that the act of charity would be rewarded with “blessed rain”, ensuring fertile soil and crops for the farmers.

In Islam, Salat Al-Istisqa is a prayer performed to seek rain from Allah during times of drought or water scarcity.