{
  "id": 12620480,
  "title": "President Sheikh Mohamed calls for rain prayers on Friday",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/president-sheikh-mohamed-calls-for-rain-prayers-on-friday-12620480",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T11:35:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/10/07/uae-presidentrain-prayers-salaat-al-istisqaa-friday/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Sheikh Mohamed has urged Muslims across the UAE to perform rain prayers, known as Salaat Al Istisqaa, in mosques this Friday. The call comes after rain has been scarce in many parts of the country. Sheikh Mohamed suggested that the prayer be held 30 minutes before the regular Friday congregational prayers. The President encouraged all citizens to seek God's blessings of rain and mercy, echoing the actions of Prophet Mohammed. This annual tradition was observed in October last year when believers flocked to mosques after the President's summons. The practice extends to the broader Gulf region when rainfall is delayed. Despite a few isolated showers, most areas of the UAE remain largely rainless. The extra precipitation is vital for agriculture, enabling farmers to cultivate crops in challenging conditions and replenishing groundwater reserves. On average, the UAE receives approximately 150 millimeters of rainfall annually.",
  "summary": "President Sheikh Mohamed has called for rain prayers to take place in all mosques in the UAE this Friday. Sheikh Mohamed called for Salaat Al Istisqaa to be performed half an hour before Friday prayers. The President called upon everyone to pray to God for rain and mercy, in line with the traditions of the Prophet Mohammed. Last October, worshippers gathered in mosques across the country…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "UAE President calls for rain prayer on Friday",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/uae-president-calls-for-rain-prayer-on-friday",
        "published": "2026-10-07T10:08:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arabian Business",
        "title": "UAE President calls for rain prayer on Friday",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/uae-president-calls-for-rain-prayer-on-friday-12612851",
        "published": "2026-10-07T10:48:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "President Sheikh Mohamed calls for rain prayers on Friday",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/president-sheikh-mohamed-calls-for-rain-prayers-on-friday",
        "published": "2026-10-07T11:35:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}