Hundreds of Muslims in Qatar gathered at schools and other venues to perform the istisqa prayer for rain early this morning.
According to QNA, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani joined worshippers at the Al Wajbah prayer ground shortly after 6am, following in the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, who used to ask God for rain when it was lacking.
Several others responded to a call from Qatar’s Ministry of Awqaf (endowments) and Islamic Affairs by praying for rain at schools and other venues.
اقتداء بسنة سيد الخلق صلى الطلاب والمعلمون صلاة الاستسقاء طلبا للرحمه والغيث من السماء pic.twitter.com/Ps0yJrwVRX
— مدرسة الشحانية بنين (@alshahaniyasecb) November 20, 2014
https://twitter.com/AbhSchool/status/535305940061278208
Last year, the Emir performed rain prayers a few weeks earlier in November, and heavy rains followed soon after.
There was so much rain in fact, that residents complained of flooding on the streets and inside malls. A rare weather waterspout was also spotted in Ras Laffan.
This November, however, has been much drier.
Some parts of Qatar have seen sprinkles of rain, but according to Steff Gaulter, senior meteorologist for Al Jazeera English, Doha has not had any precipitation since mid-May.
It is likely to continue that way through the weekend. According to weather.com’s five-day forecast, Doha will see sunny skies through at least Monday.
A forecaster for the Qatar Meteorology Department, however, told Doha News that rain could hit the capital on Monday and Tuesday. Winds and thunder are also possible then.
Thoughts?