Page 270 - Allah's Miracles in the Qur'an

Allah's Miracles in the Qur'an

We divided them up into twelve tribes-communities. We revealed to
Musa, when his people asked him for water: "Strike the rock with your
staff." Twelve fountains flowed out from it, and all the people knew
their drinking place. And We shaded them with clouds and sent down
manna and quails to them: "Eat of the good things We have provided
for you." They did not wrong Us; rather, they wronged themselves.
(Qur'an, 7:160)
The above verse describes how Prophet Musa's (as) people asked
him for water and how he provided places where each tribe could

drink. Clearly, his people were suffering from a shortage of water. Such
shortages still exist, for more than 1 billion people today lack access to
clean water, and 2.4 billion still live without improved sanitation.
According to projected estimates, by 2025 about 5 billion people will
not have access to sufficient amounts of water. 204 Every year, some 12
million people die from water scarcity; 3 million of whom are children
who die from waterborne diseases. 205
Today, 31 countries, comprising 8 percent of the world's popula-
tion, face chronic freshwater shortages. By 2025, this number is expect-
ed to rise to 48 countries. 206 According to UN predictions, renewable
freshwater will become an even more limited resource by 2025, and the

number of 131 million people experiencing water problems will rise to
either 817 million (according to low population growth projections) or
1.079 billion (according to high population growth projections). 207
Groundwater, the largest source of fresh water on Earth, repre-
sents more than 90 percent of the readily available freshwater
reserves 208 and is therefore of vital importance to meeting the water
needs of up to 2 billion people. 209 It constitutes the primary source of
water for up to 50 percent of the American population, a figure that
rises to 95 percent in rural areas. 210 Groundwater is also the safest and

most reliable source of fresh water. At the same time, this water can be

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