The Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) calls on Muslims to conduct a prayer for rain to help manage the haze crisis in the country, a top official of the organization said on Wednesday.

MUI chairman Maruf Amin said that it took a special effort to end the forest and land fires, which caused much of Sumatra and Kalimantan to be covered in haze over the past three months.

"Considering the current condition of Indonesia, MUI urged Muslims to conduct an istisqa prayer [a prayer for rain]," he said as reported by state news agency Antara on Wednesday evening.

Maruf said Muslims should fast for three days before the prayer. Muslims in Indonesia should say Istighfar [ask for God's mercy], be polite and live a modest life, he said.

MUI also called on everyone to repent, to ask for God's forgiveness from all sins, to give more alms and to leave behind all bad deeds.

"The prolonged dry season that is happening to our country might be a warning from God," he said.

Maruf urged the government to have firm and strategic policies to help end the bad impact of the long dry season.

The firm actions, he said, could be legal enforcement by charging everyone behind the forest and land fires and supporting the poor people's economy. (rin)(++++)