Water is the essential building block of life. But it is more than just essential to quench thirst or protect health; water is vital for creating jobs and supporting economic, social, and human development.

Today, half of the world’s workers – 1.5 billion people – work in water-related sectors. Moreover, nearly all jobs, regardless of the sector, depend directly on water. Yet, despite the indelible link between jobs and water, millions of people whose livelihoods depend on water are often not recognized or protected by basic labor rights.

To stay healthy each person needs about 55 gallons of water each day to clean, cook and drink. Some people do not get even that while other people consume ten times this amount every day.

World Water Day is marked on 22 March every year. It’s a day to celebrate water. It’s a day to make a difference for the members of the global population who suffer from water related issues. It’s a day to prepare for how we manage water in the future.

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly designated 22 March as the first World Water Day. 23 years later, World Water Day is celebrated around the world every year, shining the spotlight on a different issue. Join the movement.

The Noble Qur’an mentions the word (Ma’) for water as much as 63 times. “By means of water, we give life to everything.” (Surah Al-Anbiya’ 21:30).

Waters of rain, rivers, and fountains runs through the pages of the Qur’an to symbolize God’s benevolence: “He sends down saving rain for them when they have lost all hope and spreads abroad His mercy” (Qur’an Al-Furqan 25:48).

In Islam major importance is placed upon purity and cleanliness, but also the essential role water plays in Islam. Purification through ablution is an obligatory component of the Islamic prayer ritual; prayers carried out in an impure state are not valid.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) urged moderation and thriftiness in the use of water during ablution. Water is discussed literally hundreds of times in the hadith, the documented sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Water conservation was explicitly encouraged by the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, especially while washing even when taken from a large river.