Sheikh Mohamed calls for rain prayer across UAE mosques on October 9

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has called for Salaat Al Istisqaa, the Islamic prayer for rain, to be performed at mosques across the UAE on Friday, October 9.

The prayer will take place 30 minutes before the Friday prayer as the country enters its cooler and wetter season.

Sheikh Mohamed called on people across the UAE to pray to Allah for rain and mercy, in accordance with the Sunnah and traditions of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

Salaat Al Istisqaa is performed by Muslims when seeking rain and divine mercy during periods of dry weather.

Friday Prayer Timing in UAE

Friday prayer timings across UAE mosques were changed from January 2, 2026.

The Friday prayer is now scheduled for 12:45pm across the country, replacing the previous 1:15pm timing that had been followed in most emirates since 2022.
Sharjah had followed a different timing before the nationwide change.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast above-average rainfall across the UAE between October and January.

The period coincides with the country's cooler and wetter season, when weather conditions generally become more favourable for rainfall.

Strong El Niño Could Bring More Rain

The NCM has described this year's El Niño climate pattern as “very strong.”

El Niño is associated with unusually warm surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean and can influence weather patterns around the world.

The weather department said the current conditions are considered an indicator of potentially beneficial rainfall for the UAE.

However, the country could also experience periods of heavy rain if suitable atmospheric and weather conditions develop.