Students at several independent schools in Qatar as well as the country’s Emir woke up early this morning to perform the istisqa prayer for rain.
The prayer is usually done at least once a year here during the winter months, and this time around comes amid a forecasted drop in temperatures over the next several days.
According to QNA, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani joined worshippers at the Al Wajbah prayer ground shortly after 6am.
On social media, several independent schools posted photos and video of the prayer, which follows in the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, who used to ask God for rain when it was lacking.
طلاب القادسية يصلون الاستسقاء☔️ pic.twitter.com/eQ1xUxpuvZ
— مدرسة القادسية النموذجية للبنين (@alqadesyaschool) November 19, 2015
عبد الرحمن بن جاسم الإعدادية تؤدي صلاة الاستسقاء والأستاذ رمزي السعيد معلم التربية الإسلامية يقوم بإلقاء الخطبة pic.twitter.com/jINCdNCpux
— binjassim (@binjassim1) November 19, 2015
Forecast
Over the past few days, the Qatar Meteorology Department (MET) has been forecasting scattered showers in different parts of the country.
Weather forecast for Thursday 19/11/2015 pic.twitter.com/TqWZmP6phE
— أرصاد قطر (@qatarweather) November 18, 2015
The MET also warned of plummeting temperatures due to a Siberian high pressure system that will begin tomorrow (Friday) and last until Tuesday, Nov. 24.
In a statement, it said:
“The northerly winds is expected to lead to a noticeable drop in temperatures during this period, especially at night and early morning as temperatures expected to drop 4 – 5C below their regular average.
The maximum temperatures in Doha are expected to range between 24-26C (75-79F) and the minimum temperatures between 17-20C (63-68F) and even colder temperatures are expected in Southern and open areas as minimum temperatures are forecast to drop below 15C (59F).”
It added that rain showers are expected around the country by Monday.
Thoughts?
