[Editor’s Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog for the latest updates as the UAE deals with heavy rains and unstable weather conditions.]
UAE residents have been urged to perform their prayers at home as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety amid unstable weather conditions in the country.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat has issued this statement on Wednesday as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety. The weather in the UAE is driven by active convective cloud systems associated with a low-pressure system, bringing widespread rain of varying intensity across several regions.
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In a statement, the authority said the guidance follows the Prophet’s (PBHU) tradition during adverse weather conditions, emphasising the importance of preventing harm and prioritising safety and to perform prayers at home.
Mosque imams have also been instructed to to remind people via loudspeakers immediately after the call to prayer: “Pray in your homes” in all regions impacted by rain, advising worshippers accordingly based on local weather conditions.
Worshippers may also combine Dhuhr and Asr prayers, and Maghrib and Isha prayers if they are performed in mosques, depending on the weather conditions in each area.
The authority called on the public to adhere to the instructions issued by relevant authorities during these weather conditions, and to make use of the situation by supplicating to God, expressing gratitude for the rain, and praying for the protection of the UAE, its leadership, its people, and all residents from harm.
Unstable weather
According to the National Centre of Meteorology (National Centre of Meteorology), the country has seen successive waves of rainfall affecting western areas, islands, coastal cities, and inland regions, with sudden bursts of heavy showers, thunderstorms, lightning, and occasional hail.
Weather conditions have been rapidly changing, particularly in Abu Dhabi and surrounding areas, where short periods of light rain have quickly intensified into heavy downpours due to fast-developing storm cells.
While a brief lull is expected, forecasters indicate that another strong wave of unstable weather may impact the UAE before conditions gradually improve.
The most significant weather activity is forecast between Thursday night and Friday, when the final wave of the system moves across the UAE.
Rain is expected to begin over western regions on Thursday night before spreading to Al Dhafra and Abu Dhabi by late night and early Friday, then extending across northern emirates, Al Ain and eastern regions during the day.
Source: Khaleej Times