Australian Muslims, Christians come together to pray for rain, seek respite from raging bushfire crisis
In the wake of the devastating bushfire crisis in Australia, a group of Muslim worshipers came together in a park and prayed for a spell of showers. The gathering saw over 50 men, women and children at Bonython Park in Adelaide on Sunday who prayed for struggling farmers, victims and animals.
Priest Patrick McInerney, from the Centre for Christian and Muslim Relations, took the lead during the prayers. "Today I joined with my Muslim sisters and brothers in Adelaide in prayer for rain," Daily Mail quoted him as saying. "My friend, Professor Mohamad Abdalla, gave the khutbah (sermon) emphasizing repentance and reliance on God who is Merciful Provider."
The prayer meet took place a day after 78-year-old pilot Dick Lang, and his 43-year-old surgeon son, Clayton, were killed in bushfires on Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia after trying to fight the flames. The two were returning to family property. The family said in a statement, "We are devastated to have lost two beloved members of our family, Dick Lang and his youngest son Clayton Lang, in such terrible circumstances."
Calling the death "tragic news," South Australia Premier Steven Marshall said, "Our hearts go out to the families of those people who have been affected. It really does reiterate the very important message that people listen to the alerts. This a very dangerous situation on Kangaroo Island."
The fire grew manifold on Friday when it escaped containment lines during hot and windy conditions. An emergency warning or watch was declared on the entire island, with only the towns of Kingscote and Penneshaw on the east coast considered safe places.
The situation cooled down on Saturday morning and fire crews got back to work to establish fresh defenses. CFS chief officer Mark Jones, however, remarked that the fire, which had blackened more than 155,000 hectares, would continue to burn for several days.