Johor bahru: Mosques and suraus across Johor have been directed to conduct the "istisqa" or prayer for rain for three consecutive days starting today, as a response to the ongoing dry weather and a series of fire incidents throughout the state.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid, the State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman, stated that the decree was issued in accordance with the instructions of the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail. This initiative is a spiritual effort aimed at seeking Allah SWT's mercy for rainfall.

The istisqa prayer is scheduled to be performed after the Zohor prayer at all mosques and suraus across the state. The primary goal of this effort is to pray for rain to replenish water catchment areas with clean and adequate water supplies. Additionally, it is intended to meet the needs of the people of Johor and assist in extinguishing the fires reported in various locations throughout the state.

Recent incidents include a significant fire at Jalan Sungai Kapal, Taman Bayu Damai, Pengerang near Kota Tinggi, which involved a peatland fire covering nearly 100 hectares. Another incident involved about 12 hectares of peatland forest burning at Batu 13 Bukit Naning, Muar, near the Johor State Farmers' Organisation farm.

Statistics from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) indicated that there were 3,565 open fire cases nationwide last month, with six large-scale incidents occurring in Johor itself.