[Avodah] Fasting for rain

[Ben Waxman]

From: Moshe Feldman 
> 12 days ago and again today, the Chief Rabbinate has called for people
> to fast for rain. How is this reconciled with the Mishnah in Taanit,
> paskened in SA OC 575:2 that if by Rosh Chodesh Kislev there has been no
> rain, the Bet Din decrees three fasts of Monday-Thursday-Monday? ...
>                                 Also, the Rabbanut seems to be merely
> suggesting that people fast, rather than saying that it is obligatory.

Were the rabbinate to call for an obligatory fast, would that obligate
everyone, meaning Jews in ROW as well? Are they obligated to say the
add-on in Shema Qolenu?

Ben