Rain prayers were held in UAE mosques on Friday. On November 7, President Sheikh Khalifa said the prayers, known as Salaat Al Istisqaa, should be performed in all mosques across the country on November 12. He asked people to pray to Allah to bless the nation with rain and mercy, in accordance with the Prophet Mohammed’s sunnah, 10 minutes before Friday prayers. Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, performed prayer for rain at Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla Mosque, said Wam. According to state news agency Wam the prayer timings across the Emirates were: Abu Dhabi: 12 noon Dubai: 11.56am Sharjah: 11.55am Ajman: 11.54am Umm Al Quwain: 11.54am Ras Al Khaimah: 11.53am Fujairah: 11.51am Khor Fakkan: 11.51am Al Ain: 11.54am Al Dhafra: 12.02pm Salaat Al Istisqaa is observed in other Gulf countries as well. When rainfall is delayed, the leader of a state must issue an order for the prayers to be performed, according to the sunnah of the Prophet Mohammed. The official prayer is attended by the president or one of his officials. Last year, the rain prayers were held on December 18. Forecasters have said the start of the weekend will be fair and partly cloudy at times. It will be humid at night and into Saturday morning, with a chance of mist in the west. Winds will be light to moderate and conditions at sea will be slight in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.