🕋 By Ababil Islamic News — Updated: October 2025
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a country-wide call for the special Islamic prayer of drought relief (salaat al-istiskāʾ) to be held in all mosques on Friday, October 17. The decision comes in response to unusually dry weather and persistent drought conditions that have impacted large swathes of the Gulf region.
🙏 A Moment of National Unity and Faith
In an official statement, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, urged the nation’s Muslims to gather at their local mosques and perform the prayer together with sincerity and humility. The move is being viewed as a demonstration of collective faith and solidarity across all of the Emirates.
Experts say the prayer tradition traces back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), when convening the community in prayer for rain was seen as both a spiritual act and a public response to environmental hardships.
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🌦 Why the Prayer Now?
Weather authorities in the region report that rainfall has been significantly below average for consecutive years. Soil moisture levels, groundwater reserves, and agricultural output are under strain. Analysts suggest that rising temperatures and changing climate patterns are increasing the risk of prolonged water stress.
By calling for a unified prayer, the UAE leadership acknowledges both the environmental challenge and the role of spiritual cohesion in addressing crisis.
🌍 Global Implications for the Muslim World
While this announcement is specific to the UAE, its implications stretch beyond national borders. In a region where water scarcity is becoming a shared concern, the decision underscores how faith-based responses are being mobilized alongside policy initiatives.
Across the Muslim world, this act may inspire neighboring countries to consider similar collective prayers, especially where communities face extreme heat, drought, or water shortages.
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💡 Key Takeaways
- UAE to hold a nationwide prayer for rain across all mosques on October 17.
- The move symbolizes spiritual unity and environmental awareness.
- Experts link the event to rising climate change impacts in the Gulf.
- May serve as a model for faith-based environmental responses in the Islamic world.
📖 Conclusion
When a modern Muslim state revives a centuries-old Sunnah in response to an environmental crisis, it blends faith and governance in a unique way. The UAE’s call for rain-prayer is both a spiritual and ecological act, reminding believers of their connection to nature and their Creator. Whether or not rain falls immediately, the prayer itself is an expression of hope, humility, and unity under Allah’s mercy.
🌐 Sources: Times of India | Khaleej Times | UAE Official WAM Report | Compiled & Edited by: ababilislamicnews.blogspot.com
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