Over 3 000 Muslims gathered for a mass prayer for rain in Mitchells Plain on Sunday.
Young and old came out to perform the Salaatul Istisqaa (prayer for rain), organised by the Muslim Judicial Council and held at Spine Road High in Rocklands.
Moulana Shafiek Nolan, the imam of Masjied Jumuah in Westridge, gave a short sermon on the current water crisis facing the Western Cape, and what Islam says about water wastage and conservation.
Sheikh Ebrahim Gabriels from Portland and various other imams led the congregation in making istighfaar (asking for forgiveness) prayers.
Sheikh Ishmael Kannemeyer from the Colorado Mosque then led the salaah, begging Allah for rain.
The proceedings began at 8 am and ended at 9 am.
At the moment, Day Zero - when taps will run dry - is expected to arrive on 12 April.
Shamielah Abrahams, 55, attended the prayer with her family.
“I am so amazed at the turnout and the spiritual and emotional feeling in the air, May Allah accept our prayers for rain and grant all the dams to be filled Ameen,” she says.
“Water is also vital for us as Muslims to take abdas (ablution). This is the time that Allah wants us to come and plea unto him for our sustenance because sustenance comes from Allah.”
MJC spokesperson Mishka Daries says the MJC asked all mosques to make their communities aware of the vital need to save water.
“Communities are also asked to host their own prayers in their areas,” she says.
“The rains are withheld from us because Allah wants us to turn to him in sincere Taubah (repentance) and Istighfaar and to transform our lives in a meaningful way,” she said.