Directorate General of Corrections Organises Simultaneous Prayer for Rain Across 627 Units
The Directorate General of Corrections (Ditjen/pas) deployed 627 correctional technical implementation units (UPT) to perform Istisqa prayers (prayers for rain) simultaneously across Indonesia, from West to East, on Friday (18/9).
This prayer for rain involved officers from prisons, detention centres, children’s correctional institutions, and parole offices, alongside inmates. The move serves as a spiritual effort to face the dry season, which has caused droughts in several regions.
“We have directed all correctional ranks in Indonesia to perform Salat Istisqa. The goal is to provide a momentum for self-reflection (muhasabah) before Allah SWT, as well as to strengthen mental and spiritual fortitude in facing the impacts of the recent drought,” said the Director General of Corrections, Mashudi, in a written statement received in Jakarta on Saturday.
The implementation of the prayer for rain is intended as a moment for correctional staff and inmates to engage in self-reflection, increase supplications (Istighfar), and heighten awareness of environmental and community conditions amidst the dry season.
Mashudi stated that, in addition to strengthening spirituality, the Istisqa prayer serves as a momentum to increase collective awareness regarding the wise use of water within the correctional units.
Based on information from the BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency), he noted that 81 per cent of Indonesia’s seasonal zones have entered the dry season.
“We urge inmates and officers to use water wisely so that needs during the rehabilitation process can still be met,” said Mashudi.
“We continue to monitor our colleagues in the field to ensure that the water supply remains sufficient during the dry season. At the same time, we encourage staff and inmates to use water judiciously,” he added.
Mashudi further noted that the Istisqa prayer was conducted across various correctional work units from the western to the eastern regions of Indonesia.
Through this activity, the correctional ranks not only strengthen the personality development and spiritual values of inmates but also build a shared awareness to protect the environment, conserve water usage, and increase preparedness for the dry season.