KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 — The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) will hold a Solat Hajat (special prayer of needs) at three mosques under its supervision tonight following the haze currently affecting the country.

Jakim director-general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee said the prayers would be held after Maghrib prayers at the National Mosque here, as well as Putra Mosque and Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque in Putrajaya.

He called on Muslims to join in and pray to Allah SWT for protection, health, safety and peace in facing this trial.

“May Allah SWT protect all Malaysians from any harm, safeguard our health and safety and restore conditions in affected areas,” he said in a statement today.

He said the Solat Hajat was in line with a decree by the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, calling on all Malaysians to pray and seek Allah SWT’s help for the well-being of those affected, as well as a call by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan to undertake the effort.

As of 8 am today, 17 areas in six states, namely Sarawak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Melaka and Perak, as well as Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings. — Bernama