Indonesian Muslims brave choking smoke to pray for rain as country battles wildfires

Indonesian authorities organized a rain prayer gathering in South Sumatra province as massive wildfires scorched large portions of forests and peatlands, producing a thick haze that enveloped several cities in the predominantly Muslim country. This marked the first annual "salat istisqa," or Islamic prayer for rain, held in the region grappling with prolonged dry weather, which has exacerbated the risk of forest and peatland fires.

Around 3,000 people congregated in the capital, Palembang, to offer their prayers inside the governor's office courtyard, as smoky conditions reduced visibility and forced drivers to use headlights during daylight hours. The governor, Herman Deru, affirmed that all efforts were being made to address the crisis and that the prayer served as a unifying demonstration of faith amid environmental challenges.

Emergency services were actively combating the wildfires, driven by an intensifying El Nino pattern and a prolonged dry season, which have also been reported to have crossed into neighboring Malaysia and Brunei due to the dense smoke. Indonesia has intensified weather modification operations to aid over 24,000 firefighters, deploying 30 aircraft for cloud-seeding and water-bombing campaigns over Kalimantan and 22 helicopters over Sumatra.

The Forestry Ministry has sanctioned six forestry concession holders for allowing over 15 square kilometers of forest and land to burn within their jurisdiction in West, Central, and East Kalimantan provinces on Borneo island. Five companies were instructed to strengthen fire-control measures and rehabilitate the affected land, while a sixth company had its permit suspended due to widespread and recurrent fires on its concession.

Forestry law enforcement director general Dwi Januanto Nugroho noted that authorities could pursue criminal charges if investigations reveal evidence of deliberate fire-starting or failure to meet prevention obligations.