Indonesian Muslims Gather For Rain Prayers Amid South Sumatra Wildfire Crisis

Muslims gathered in Indonesia’s South Sumatra on Tuesday to pray for rain as massive forest and peatland fires intensified, sending thick haze across the province and neighbouring parts of Southeast Asia. About 3,000 residents joined the Islamic “salat-istisqa” prayer in Palembang, standing shoulder to shoulder outside the governor’s office as smoke shrouded roads, buildings and public facilities.

The prayer came as South Sumatra faces prolonged dry weather and a sharp rise in fires. Indonesia’s Environment Ministry satellite data showed the province had 1,429 wildfire hotspots, the highest nationwide, followed by West Kalimantan with 1,226 and Central Kalimantan with 811. Forestry Ministry figures showed nearly 940 square kilometres of land burned across Indonesia in July, including more than 20 square kilometres in South Sumatra.

However, figures presented by South Sumatra officials on Monday indicate the scale of the problem has increased sharply this month. The provincial disaster agency reported 12,956 hotspots in South Sumatra through August 23, including 8,044 recorded during August alone. Ogan Komering Ilir recorded the highest number at 2,435, followed by Musi Banyuasin with 2,139. The province had recorded 1,723 fire incidents and about 1,926 hectares of burned land by August 23.

Governor Herman Deru said authorities had taken all possible measures but that residents were also turning to faith, hoping rain would help restore normal conditions. The prayer is being held alongside intensive firefighting and drought mitigation operations, rather than as a substitute for them.

Indonesia has deployed ground crews, aircraft and helicopters for firefighting, surveillance and water bombing. Authorities are also conducting cloud seeding operations to induce rainfall. More than 24,000 firefighters have been involved in efforts across affected regions, while 52 helicopters have been used for firefighting and aerial monitoring.

The crisis is also becoming a regional problem. Dense smoke has crossed into Malaysia and Brunei, affecting visibility and air quality. Malaysia has now received permission from Indonesia to send aircraft into Indonesian airspace for cloud seeding, with Malaysian agencies preparing operations near shared border areas in coordination with Indonesia.

Authorities have also intensified law enforcement. Indonesian police have arrested 72 people suspected of starting fires across several provinces and are investigating 89 fire related cases. Four companies are under scrutiny over alleged land clearing through burning.

The fires have been linked to prolonged drought, an intensifying El Niño pattern and land clearing practices. Peatland fires are particularly difficult to extinguish because they can continue smouldering below the surface, producing persistent haze and serious health risks.