DMI Calls for Istisqa Prayer as Response to Drought and Forest Fires
The Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) has called on Muslims across Indonesia to perform the Istisqa prayer simultaneously from August until early September 2026. The appeal was issued in response to a prolonged dry season that has caused rising temperatures, drought, water crises and forest fires in several parts of the country.
Through a circular signed by DMI Secretary General KH Rahmat Hidayat, the DMI Central Board invited DMI leaders at all levels, together with mosque prosperity councils (DKM) or mosque caretakers, to hold the Istisqa prayer, either in open fields or in mosque courtyards.
In the circular, Kiai Rahmat stated that, given the prolonged dry season resulting in rising environmental temperatures, drought, water crises and widespread forest fires in several regions of Indonesia, the DMI Central Board calls upon and invites DMI leaders at the provincial, district, branch and sub-branch levels, together with DKM and mosque caretakers throughout Indonesia, to perform the Istisqa prayer simultaneously in August and early September 2026, whether in open fields or mosque courtyards.
“The Istisqa prayer preacher should invite Muslims to seek forgiveness for all sins, increase istighfar, and pray earnestly so that Allah SWT grants what is needed by Muslims and the entire nation,” said Kiai Rahmat in circular number 209.C/III/SE/PP-DMI/VIII/2026.
Kiai Rahmat said the circular was issued to be implemented together. He expressed hope that, by the grace of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala, rain and other accompanying blessings would strengthen the welfare, unity and integrity of the Indonesian nation.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) summarised disaster incident reports for the period Saturday to Sunday, 22–23 August 2026. Forest and land fires (karhutla) continued to dominate reported disaster incidents in several regions of Indonesia.
The first forest and land fire was reported in East Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province. The fire burned 2.5 hectares of land on Saturday (22/8) at 20.05 WIT. The affected location was in Batu Raja Village, Wasile District. There were no casualties in the incident. The East Halmahera Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), together with joint personnel, carried out firefighting at the scene. The fire was successfully extinguished on the same day.
A forest and land fire was also reported in the Way Kambas National Park area, East Lampung Regency, Lampung Province, on Friday (21/8) at 14.00 WIB. The incident occurred in Kuala Penet Urban Village, within the Kuala Penet Resort area. The fire affected an area of 673.4 hectares. The East Lampung Regency BPBD immediately coordinated across agencies and carried out joint firefighting to prevent the fire from spreading. By Saturday (22/8) at 19.12 WIB, all fire spots had been successfully extinguished and no hotspots were found at the scene.
Previously, BNPB summarised disaster reports for the period Wednesday to Thursday, 19–20 August 2026. Forest and land fires, drought and extreme weather continued to occur in several regions of Indonesia.
The first report concerned a forest and land fire in Penajam Paser Utara Regency, East Kalimantan Province. A total of 10.65 hectares of land burned on Wednesday (19/8). The affected location was in Sepan Village, Penajam District. There were no casualties in the incident. The local BPBD, together with joint personnel, carried out firefighting at the scene. The fire was successfully extinguished on the same day, Wednesday (19/8).
Drought was also reported to have hit Klaten Regency, Central Java Province. Affected areas included Burikan Village in Cawas District, and Kendalsari, Tegalmulyo, Tlogowatu and Sidorejo Villages in Kemalang District. The disaster affected 12,946 people from 3,848 households. Emergency response efforts by the Klaten Regency BPBD included distributing clean water to affected residents.
To anticipate the potential spread of forest and land fires, the government continues to strengthen cross-sector coordination and preparedness. BNPB, together with regional governments, continues to monitor hotspot developments, map vulnerable areas, and coordinate to determine response measures according to conditions on the ground.
BNPB urged regional governments and the public to remain vigilant against potential hydrometeorological hazards during the dry season, particularly forest and land fires. Regional governments are expected to strengthen preparedness, monitoring and early detection of potential forest and land fires, and to ensure the availability of firefighting facilities and infrastructure.
In addition, the public is urged not to carry out burning activities in fire-prone areas. Anyone who sees or becomes aware of a fire is encouraged to report it immediately to the regional government or relevant officers so that it can be handled quickly and effectively.