Antara, Jakarta – Indonesia's top Muslim organization, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), has called on Muslims across the country to perform Shalat Istisqa, a prayer traditionally offered to seek rain, amid prolonged dry conditions and forest and land fires in several provinces.

MUI Deputy Chairperson Cholil Nafis said the prayer could be held collectively in areas affected by drought and wildfires.

"Drought and dry conditions are affecting us, and forest and land fires are still occurring. Let us pray that rain will soon fall in Indonesia, particularly in areas experiencing drought and fires. We also encourage Muslims to perform Shalat Istisqa," Cholil said in Jakarta on Friday.

He described Shalat Istisqa as a form of spiritual effort and religious devotion in response to prolonged drought.

Cholil said such prayers could complement the technical measures being carried out by the government and firefighters to address the effects of the dry conditions and wildfires.

He called on mosque administrators, religious organizations and communities in affected areas to coordinate the prayer and hold it collectively.

The appeal comes as prolonged dry conditions have contributed to water shortages in some communities and an increase in wildfire hotspots in parts of Indonesia. Smoke from forest and land fires has also raised concerns about public health in affected areas.

Meanwhile, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said hotspot activity in West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan had increased again after previously declining, putting the two provinces among the government's current priorities for wildfire management.

"After all six priority provinces showed declining trends yesterday, today West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan are showing an increase in hotspots again. This means that, nationally, West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan remain the top priorities," Raja Juli said.

The government has continued to monitor wildfire hotspots and coordinate firefighting efforts in the provinces as dry conditions persist.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2118939/mui-calls-on-indonesian-muslims-to-hold-rain-prayers-amid-wildfire