Saudi King Urges Prayers For Rain

Sun., Nov. 3, 1996

Compiled From Wire Services

Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd urged citizen in this oil-rich desert kingdom to pray for badly needed rain, the Arab News reported Saturday.

Fahd asked Saudis nationwide to offer the prayers on Monday because the rains that usually come by mid-October have not started.

The kingdom gets an annual rainfall of about 6 inches from sporadic winter rains that are important for drinking water supplies and agriculture. Although vast tracts of the country are empty desert, the government has encouraged some farming of wheat and vegetables to cut reliance on imports.

According to custom, Saudi men gather at mosques just after dusk to offer special prayers for rain. Women pray at home.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Saudi King Urges Prayers For Rain

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Where did all the AK-47s go?

Trump to decide soon on Taiwan arms sale, noncommittal to Xi

Congo confirms 80 deaths in large Ebola outbreak