Indonesian Muslims brave choking smoke to pray for rain as country battles wildfires
Emergency services have been battling fires driven by an intensifying El Niño climate pattern and a prolonged dry season, generating dense smoke that crossed into Malaysia and Brunei.
Indonesia's South Sumatra province, grappling with a high number of wildfire hot spots, turned to spiritual measures as blazes scorched vast areas of forests and peatland, creating a dense haze across the region and affecting some of the world's most populous Muslim-majority cities. Authorities initiated a prayer gathering, emphasizing their efforts complementing firefighting and drought-mitigation measures.
In Palembang, the provincial capital, approximately 3,000 residents assembled in the governor's office courtyard to perform "salat istisqa," a special Islamic rain prayer, shoulder to shoulder. Thick smoke blanketed the city, reducing visibility and forcing drivers to rely on headlights during daylight hours. The governor, Herman Deru, assured that the community had done everything possible, working closely with all relevant parties, and that the prayer aimed to unite residents in overcoming the environmental challenges facing the province.
Written by urgent.news from Associated Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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