Thousands in Australia Pray for Rain on Eid al-Adha
They held congregational prayers on Tuesday to pray for rain to help drought-affected Australian farmers.
Sixteen mosques dedicated their celebrations during the holy Eid al-Adha - one of Islam's holiest festivals- to praying for rain.
The biggest gathering was at Lakemba Mosque in Sydney which was attended by some 30,000 Muslims.
Many braced the cold winter morning to conduct a special 'rain prayer' for the worst affected areas.
“Let God send down rainfall,” Sheikh Yahya Safi, an Imam of Lakemba mosque, said to his congregation.
The prayers were conducted throughout the states of New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland.
Eid al-Adha is commemorated towards the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which should be undertaken at least once by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so.
