PONTIANAK, thekabarnews.com—The West Kalimantan branch of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI Kalbar) has called on Muslims across the province to perform an Istisqa prayer. This comes as prolonged dry weather, deteriorating air quality and forest and land fires continue to affect the region.

The congregational prayer will take place at 7 a.m. WIB on Saturday, August 29, at the grounds of Masjid Raya Mujahidin in Pontianak. The schedule is according to a joint appeal issued on August 24.

MUI Kalbar issued the appeal with the Indonesian Mosque Council’s provincial branch, IAIN Pontianak, the West Kalimantan Religious Affairs Office and Masjid Raya Mujahidin.

The institutions reached the agreement during a joint meeting on Monday, according to an official statement from IAIN Pontianak.

Organizers encouraged Muslims who cannot attend the Pontianak gathering, including Islamic schools, pesantren and regional MUI branches, to organize Istisqa prayers in their respective communities.

The appeal also asked worshippers to undertake three days of voluntary fasting before the prayer. In addition, they are encouraged to increase istighfar, or prayers for forgiveness; give charity; resolve disputes; and attend in simple clothing with a humble attitude. Furthermore, families and children may also participate.

Religious leaders linked the spiritual appeal to environmental responsibility. The statement urged residents to repent and “completely stop environmentally destructive acts such as illegal land burning.”

“May Allah send rain that brings blessings to the land of West Kalimantan,” the joint appeal said.

The call comes as authorities intensify efforts to control fires across the province.

On August 23, West Kalimantan conducted three weather-modification flights, according to the BNPB. These flights dispersed 3,000 kilograms of seeding material to encourage rainfall.

Ground teams had also handled fires across approximately 104.8 hectares as of that date.

BMKG has warned that peat fires can persist below the surface even after flames disappear. Limited rain-cloud formation through September could also complicate firefighting and peatland-wetting operations, according to BMKG West Kalimantan.

The haze has raised public-health concerns. Pontianak’s Health Office recorded a 5–10 percent increase in daily acute respiratory infection cases over the previous week. Officials said they could not attribute every case directly to smoke exposure.

Authorities have advised vulnerable residents to limit outdoor activities and wear masks when haze intensifies.

The Istisqa prayer is a religious response to the dry spell. Meanwhile, firefighting, law enforcement, peatland protection and public health measures are still vital to address the emergency.