Indonesian Muslims Turn to Prayer Amidst Wildfires

The province of South Sumatra in Indonesia is facing severe wildfires. These fires are burning through peatlands in Sumatra and Kalimantan. On August 25, 2026, in Palembang, the capital of South Sumatra, Indonesian Muslims gathered to perform a prayer requesting rain to combat these fires.

Authorities in South Sumatra, the area with the most wildfire hot spots, organized a prayer gathering as a spiritual measure. Huge fires are burning forests and peatlands, creating a thick haze that covers cities. This prayer initiative coincides with prolonged dry weather, increasing the risk of fires.

Recent satellite data from the Environment Ministry highlights South Sumatra’s critical situation. It had the highest number of hot spots with 1,429, followed by West Kalimantan with 1,226 and Central Kalimantan with 811. Forestry Ministry data shows that fires consumed nearly 940 square kilometers (363 square miles) in July alone. In South Sumatra, over 20 square kilometers (8 square miles) were affected.

Approximately 3,000 residents gathered in front of the governor’s office in Palembang to perform ‘salat istisqa,’ a special Islamic prayer for rain. During the prayer, thick smoke reduced visibility, forcing motorists to use headlights during the day.

“We have done everything we can and worked closely with all relevant parties,” said South Sumatra Gov. Herman Deru. “As people of faith, we are also praying to God to send rain so that life can return to normal.”

The governor emphasized that public prayer complements efforts to fight fires and mitigate drought. It also serves to unite residents in tackling environmental challenges.

Emergency services are combating blazes driven by an intensifying El Nino pattern and extended dry season. This has generated dense smoke that spread to Malaysia and Brunei, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.

Indonesia is boosting weather-modification measures to assist firefighters. This includes creating rainfall through salt particle dispersal into clouds, with operations using 30 aircraft for cloud-seeding and water-bombing over Kalimantan, and 22 helicopters for Sumatra.

In response to the fires, Indonesian police have arrested 72 people suspected of starting them. Additionally, four companies are under investigation for allegedly using fire as a cost-effective land clearing method. Plantation owners and farmers often set fires to clear land, causing hazardous haze that disrupts transportation and threatens public health.

Fires are common during Indonesia’s dry season, and the resulting haze frequently causes diplomatic concerns among Southeast Asian countries.