Aceh Ulama Urges President Prabowo to Declare the Disaster that Hit Sumatra-Aceh as a National Emergency

BANDA ACEH - The 2025 Aceh Ulama Muzakarah, which is centered on the courtyard of the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, Banda Aceh, asked President Prabowo Subianto to declare the hydrometeorological disaster that hit Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra as a National Disaster Emergency.

English:

The Chairman of the Aceh Ulama Consultative Assembly (MPU) Tgk H Faisal Ali said that the muzakarah produced a number of important recommendations related to disaster management, including the determination of the national disaster status and the strengthening of the role of mosques as a unifying force for the community.

English:

"The Aceh Ulama Muzakarah produced a number of important recommendations related to disaster management, namely the establishment of a national disaster and strengthening the role of mosques as a unifying force for the community," said Faisal Ali in Banda Aceh, quoted from Antara, Monday, December 15.

English:

The muzakarah activities were also combined with samadiah and prayers for the victims of floods and landslides in Aceh, which were held in the courtyard of the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque on Sunday.

English:

According to Faisal Ali, the determination of the National Disaster Emergency status is considered crucial to accelerate the handling of victims, the recovery of infrastructure, and to open access to international humanitarian assistance in a coordinated and accountable manner.

English:

In addition, the Aceh ulama also agreed to ask the Governor of Aceh Muzakir Manaf together with the regents and mayors of Aceh to draw up an integrated roadmap for Aceh's post-disaster development. The roadmap is expected to be oriented towards disaster mitigation, environmental recovery, strengthening the community's economy, and protecting educational institutions and houses of worship.

English:

The ulama also asked the local government to revise the budget to adjust the needs of flood and landslide handling. Meanwhile, to the Central Government, the ulama asked for serious attention through budget support as well as short-term and long-term strategic steps that are objective and proportional according to the level of urgency.

English:

In another recommendation, the ulama emphasized the importance of transparency and trust in the management of humanitarian assistance, as well as law enforcement against parties who destroy the environment and contribute to the occurrence of disasters.

English:

The Acehnese people are also urged to strengthen social solidarity, maintain media and social ethics in the midst of disasters, and avoid slander and provocation.

English:

As part of spiritual efforts, the ulama invited the entire community to enliven the mosque, both in disaster-affected and non-affected areas, through joint prayers, worship, and social-religious activities to strengthen the spiritual resilience of the Acehnese people.

English:

Faisal Ali added that the recommendation was born from the aspirations of various community figures, especially intellectuals and non-politicians, who encouraged the Aceh MPU to gather ulama to jointly voice their attitudes regarding the handling of flash floods in a number of Aceh regions.

English:

On the same occasion, Abu Sibreh expressed his appreciation to the Governor of Aceh and the heads of regional governments who were considered to have worked hard to help people affected by disasters.

English:

English:

English:

"The handover to the Central Government does not mean despair or not working. It is a form of recognition that in certain conditions, such a large disaster cannot be handled by the region alone, so it requires the presence and assistance of the central government," said Abu Sibreh.