Pontianak Muslims Hold Istisqa Prayer for Rain Amid Drought and Haze

Thousands of Muslims gathered at the Grand Mujahidin Mosque in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on Saturday, August 29, 2026, to perform the Istisqa prayer, a special congregational prayer seeking rain.

The gathering was a response to a prolonged drought and the pervasive haze caused by ongoing forest and land fires (karhutla) in the region. The special prayer, held around 7:00 AM Western Indonesian Time, was part of a collective effort by the community to address the deteriorating air quality and the persistent dry conditions.

Many worshippers wore masks during the prayer, reflecting the severity of the air pollution. The event was organized in collaboration with the Pontianak City Government, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI), the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the mosque's management.

Officials and religious leaders encouraged the community to view the Istisqa prayer as a spiritual endeavor to confront the challenges posed by the drought, haze, and declining air quality. The hope is that divine intervention will bring much-needed rain to alleviate the environmental crisis.