Aceh prays on memory of tsunami

Aceh prays on memory of tsunami

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 12/26/2011 5:16 PM


Aceh remembers: Thousands of people attend a mass prayer to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the Aceh tsunami at the Lhoknga golf course in Aceh Besar, Aceh, on Monday. They prayed for the tsunami victims who died on Dec. 26, 2004. Among those present were Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf, Deputy Governor Muhammad Nazar and officials of government agencies, including those from the National Police and the Indonesian Military. (Antara/Puspa Perwitasari)Around 6,000 Aceh residents, including members of the Regional Consultative Council, gathered at the Lhok Nga golf course, Aceh Besar, on Monday to pray and reflect upon the tsunami that devastated the province in 2004.
Governor Irwandi Yusuf said in his opening remarks that it was difficult to forget the horrific disaster that killed hundreds of thousands of people.

“The incident did not only destroy facilities and infrastructure, but also damaged the people’s livelihoods,” he said as quoted by tempo.co.

Irwandi, therefore, called on the people of Aceh to rise and empower themselves to rebuild the economy and create a better Aceh for the future.

He added that the tsunami experience had made the Acehnese grow an enhanced sense of caring and sympathy for others in places stricken by disaster, such as Japan, which was hit by an earthquake-triggered tsunami in March.

“The Aceh administration was moved and wanted to help, but we, ourselves, were also in need at the time. So we gave them continuous support,” he said.

The mass prayer, which was also attended by teachers and representatives from Japanese non-governmental organizations, was led by well-known preacher Arifin Ilham.

Residents in other parts of Aceh performed mass prayers in mosques and paid a visit to the graves of tsunami victims. (awd)