Religious Affairs Dept urges ‘solat hajat’, aid for residents after Serian haze emergency

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 5 — The Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) has urged mosques and surau across the Federal Territories to conduct solat hajat, a special prayer, to seek relief from the haze and protection for those affected by the worsening air pollution in Serian, Sarawak. Dr Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), stated that the department honored His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim's consent for a haze emergency declaration in the Serian Division due to hazardous air pollution levels endangering public health and safety.

The minister called for religious organizations and the public to contribute to mitigation measures and welfare assistance for the affected residents, adhering to the principles of life preservation and mutual aid. Dr Zulkifli Hasan emphasized the importance of Islamic brotherhood and humanitarian values in taking concrete action through swift aid delivery and strict adherence to safety directives issued by authorities.

He concluded, "May this trial strengthen our tawakal and unity, as every effort to save lives is a noble religious trust in His sight." The declaration of a haze emergency in Serian followed an air pollution level deemed hazardous to public health and safety. As of 4 PM yesterday, Serian's Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at the District Police Headquarters monitoring station stood at 514, making it hazardous.

Kuching also reached the hazardous level with an API of 313, while Samarahan and Sri Aman were at the very unhealthy level with readings of 288 and 239, respectively.