Salat Al-Istisqa’ is to be performed throughout Maldives due to drawn-out times of drought and low rainfall, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has announced.

The prayer, seeking rains due to an elongated dry season, is to take place on Monday, after the afternoon prayer.

It will be performed in the Masjid Al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaan Al-Auzam, more commonly known as the Islamic Center in capital city Malé. The same will be performed throughout the outlying atolls in the island’s biggest mosque, revealed the Ministry.

Salat Al-Istisqa’ is a prayer seeking rain from above which is performed due to sparse rainfall and is an emphatic Sunnah in Islam. It is observed when the people suffer from impenitent dry seasons, sparse rain and a lack of water. This prayer is observed worldwide by the Muslim communities.

This announcement by the ministry comes at a time there has been prevalent blistering hot weather across the country with temperatures forcing the people to mostly stay indoors. The Maldives has also gone months without rainfall since the dry season began.

There has also been observed a rise in wide spreading viral diseases in recent weeks. The number of patients diagnosed with chikungunya, dengue and the general flu have been skyrocketing, with hospitals even opening up vaccination centers for those who need it.