Somalia’s Puntland Residents Turn to Fasting and Prayer Amid Severe Drought
Residents of Puntland State in northeastern Somalia have been urged to fast and pray for rain, as the region battles a worsening drought that has pushed many communities to the brink of famine.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Justice, Constitution, Religious Affairs and Rehabilitation, the public was asked to fast from Saturday through Monday, with mass prayers scheduled for the final day. Minister Mohamed Abdiwahab Mohamed emphasized that the initiative aligns with Islamic teachings, calling for Salat al-Istisqa—an Islamic rain-seeking prayer.
“We must come out of our homes to beseech Allah. We must also forgive one another, uphold Allah’s commands, and care for the needy,” the minister said. The prayer will be held between 7 am and 10 am on Monday.
Salat al-Istisqa, traditionally performed outdoors, is a non-obligatory prayer that Muslims perform during times of extreme drought. It includes repentance, fasting, and communal supplication.
Humanitarian Emergency Unfolding
Puntland’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Ubah Abdirashid Mohamed, issued an urgent call for aid, warning that water shortages were triggering mass displacement and increasing the risk of disease and conflict.
“Communities are travelling long distances in search of water for human and livestock consumption. This increases the risk of displacement, waterborne diseases, and inter-communal conflict over diminishing resources,” said Minister Ubah.
The crisis is compounded by ongoing security operations against ISIS militants in the Al-Miskaad and Cal Madow mountain ranges. This dual challenge has left vulnerable populations—especially women, children, and the elderly—exposed to extreme hardship.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), approximately six million people across Somalia will need humanitarian assistance in 2025 due to the combined effects of conflict and climate shocks.
The Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) had earlier warned that with the failure of the Deyr 2024 rainy season and bleak predictions for the Gu’ 2025 season, prolonged drought may stretch well into the year.
“With the last rainy season having failed and the upcoming one predicted to be below average, now is the time to anticipate and prepare for a potentially prolonged drought that could extend across multiple seasons,” said SoDMA Commissioner Mohamud Moallim.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that Somalia currently hosts over 3.3 million internally displaced persons, many of whom live in overcrowded and under-resourced camps.
As Puntland and the rest of Somalia brace for further environmental and humanitarian challenges, authorities hope that fasting, prayer, and international aid will bring much-needed relief.
In other news:Kala-azar Outbreak Claims 33 Lives as Cases Surpass 1,000
Somalia’s Puntland Residents Turn to Fasting and Prayer Amid Severe Drought