{
  "id": 13140467,
  "title": "UAE worshippers answer President Sheikh Mohamed's call to pray for rain",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/uae-worshippers-answer-president-sheikh-mohameds-call-to-pray-for-rain-13140467",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T14:38:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/10/09/uae-worshippers-answer-president-sheikh-mohameds-call-to-pray-for-rain/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Friday, worshippers across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) gathered at mosques to perform Salaat Al Istisqaa, an Islamic prayer specifically for rain. This call to prayer came from President Sheikh Mohamed, who had urged Emiratis and UAE residents to join in the supplication as rainfall levels were declining across the Middle East. Cumulative rainfall in the UAE for 2025 was about 38 percent below the historical average, nearly three times lower than in 2024.\n\nAt Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan Mosque in Abu Dhabi, worshippers expressed hope for the prayer to bring rain. Ibrahim Hamouda, a 30-year-old Egyptian resident, stated that praying for rain is a way to seek guidance from the Lord, especially during times of drought. Jordanian Hussam Ali Hamdan, who has attended the mosque since 2017, emphasized that the prayers are not just for humans but also extend to all living beings like trees and animals. Mohammad Arif, an Indian national, found joy in participating annually and hoped that the prayers would bring rain not only to the UAE but to the entire world where many areas are experiencing droughts.\n\nAhmed Sabir, an Egyptian resident, saw the prayers as a means to ask God for the needs of the people, including improved weather conditions and agricultural prosperity. Samir Ashaar, another Egyptian participant for nine years, believes this ritual is essential and encourages everyone to attend, as it invites forgiveness and mercy from Allah. He expressed the hope that God would show mercy through the rain, granting the prayers of the attendees.",
  "summary": "Worshippers gathered at mosques across the UAE on Friday to perform Salaat Al Istisqaa , the Islamic prayer for rain. Earlier in the week, President Sheikh Mohamed had called on Emiratis and UAE residents to perform the prayer. The call came as the level of rainfall declines across parts of the Middle East. Through most of 2025, cumulative rainfall in the UAE was significantly below average –…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "UAE worshippers answer President Sheikh Mohamed's call to pray for rain",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/uae-worshippers-answer-president-sheikh-mohameds-call-to-pray-for-rain",
        "published": "2026-10-09T14:38:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}