Palangka Raya Muslims Hold Prayer for Rain Amid Drought and Fire Threats

In Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, Muslims gathered on Sunday for a special prayer, Sholat Istisqa, to implore divine intervention for rain. The spiritual observance took place at the Bundaran Besar, a central roundabout, amidst a severe drought and the persistent threat of land and forest fires (karhutla). This prayer is a traditional Islamic practice undertaken during times of extreme dryness to seek God's mercy for rainfall. The congregation included representatives from the local government, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), religious figures, community organizations, and the general public. The event underscores the community's deep concern over the prolonged dry spell, which has exacerbated the risk of devastating fires across the province. As of August 11, 2026, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) had detected 645 hotspots in Central Kalimantan, with significant concentrations in Kotawaringin Timur and Kapuas districts, highlighting the urgent need for rain.