Indonesian Muslims Gather in Palembang for Rain Prayers Amid Wildfires
· World · The Independent, Euronews, NPR
About 3,000 residents gathered in Palembang, the capital of Indonesia's South Sumatra province, to perform Islamic rain prayers known as salat istisqa. The spiritual gathering comes as South Sumatra recorded 1,429 hot spots, the highest nationwide, amid a prolonged dry season and intensifying El Nino pattern. Forestry Ministry data indicates nearly 940 square kilometers burned across Indonesia in July alone, creating a choking haze that reduced visibility and forced motorists to use headlights during the day. Governor Herman Deru stated that the prayers complement ongoing firefighting and weather-modification operations utilizing cloud-seeding aircraft and helicopters. Indonesian police have arrested 72 suspects linked to starting fires, while four companies face investigations for illegal land clearing.
Why it matters
Severe wildfires and choking haze across Indonesia threaten public health, regional air travel, and agricultural lands.
Read the original report — The Independent
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