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3 clusters · 9 sources · 10 days · First seen · Last updated

Indonesian drought and forest fire mitigation efforts

Overview

Local governments and communities across various Indonesian regions are conducting Salat Istisqa, or communal prayers for rain, to address the impacts of a prolonged dry season.

In late August, authorities in Banjarbaru and Bangka Tengah Regency initiated these spiritual measures to complement physical mitigation efforts against drought, drying water sources, and forest fires. These environmental conditions have resulted in cracked earth, wilting crops, and health concerns stemming from smoke haze.

By the end of August and beginning of September, the practice expanded to other areas. In Barito Utara, Central Kalimantan, officials highlighted the risks the drought poses to public health, the economy, and education. Similarly, in Indragiri Hilir, Riau, the regency government scheduled prayers to address increasing haze and multiple fire hotspots. In Banyumas, leaders framed the ritual as a “call for environmental introspection and responsibility,” while in South Sumatra, officials held mass prayers to seek divine assistance against forest and land fires.

In early September 2026, the practice continued in Central Sulawesi and the Selayar Islands. In Kalimantan, Bank Kalbar held prayer services alongside charitable donations for orphans and the underprivileged to mitigate forest fire risks, while in Kapuas, students and teachers from Muhammadiyah schools participated to promote water conservation awareness.

In Makassar, Mayor Munafri Arifuddin joined citizens at the Al Markaz Al-Islami Mosque to pray for relief, noting that the dry weather has impacted clean water availability and caused rotating power outages.

Entities

Indonesian Ulema Council · Partai Rakyat Indonesia · Muhammadiyah Kapuas · Ministry of Religious Affairs South Sumatra · Munafri Arifuddin

Timeline

  1. 8 days ago

    [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Indonesia communities perform Salat Istisqa prayers to combat drought

    Communities and local officials across Indonesia are performing Salat Istisqa, a traditional prayer for rain, to combat severe drought, water shortages, and increased forest fire risks.

  2. 11 days ago

    [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Indonesia conducts Salat Istisqa prayers to combat drought

    Communities and officials across several Indonesian regions are performing Salat Istisqa prayers to seek relief from prolonged drought and mitigate the risks of forest fires.

  3. 18 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Indonesian local governments hold prayers to combat drought and forest fires

    Indonesian local governments in Banjarbaru and Bangka Tengah are organizing Istisqa prayers to seek relief from prolonged drought, water scarcity, and forest fires caused by the dry season.

Sources

indiebanyumas.com · kepulauanselayarkab.go.id · makassar.terkini.id · pontianak-times.co.id · prokalteng.jawapos.com · republika.co.id · riau1.com · riliskalimantan.com · sumeks.disway.id

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history