KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 --All mosques across the country are encouraged to perform Solat Sunat Istisqa (prayers for rain) after performing the Friday prayers, in order to help alleviate the haze problem.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said as a Muslim, one should pray for the mitigation of problems and disasters faced.
“Therefore, I call on all mosques to hold Istisqa prayers for rain, and to reduce haze. May God protect this country from the haze and unwanted disaster,” he said in a statement today.
Several states in the Peninsula, as well as Sabah and Sarawak, have recorded moderate to very unhealthy readings on the Air Pollution Index (API), resulting in 1,484 schools in seven states being closed today.
The API reading between 0 and 50 is well-defined, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) while 300 and above is dangerous.
-- BERNAMA
