16th Anniversary Of The Aceh Tsunami In Mass Graves: Joint Prayers With Health Protocols

Prayers together at the mass graves of tsunami victims in Aceh. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The implementation of joint prayer and dhikr to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the Aceh tsunami in the mass graves of Siron Village, Wish Jaya District, Aceh Besar District, took place with the implementation of the COVID-19 health protocol (prokes).

"Because we are still in the atmosphere of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will do dhikr and prayers together for our brothers who died during the tsunami by maintaining health protocols," said Aceh Besar Regent Mawardi Ali, in Aceh Besar, quoted from Antara, Saturday, December 26.

As is well known, Aceh was hit by an earthquake and tsunami on Sunday, December 26, 2004. This incident claimed more than 280 thousand lives and disappeared in a number of countries, and specifically Aceh reached 170,000 people.

The victims of the Aceh earthquake and tsunami were buried en masse in the Ule Lheue area, Meuraxa District, Banda Aceh, and in Siron Village, Want Jaya District, Aceh Besar, as well as in Meulaboh, West Aceh Regency.

Mawardi said that the Aceh Besar Government annually commemorates the Aceh tsunami day with prayer and dhikr together. The warning is to increase faith.

Mawardi conveyed that this big test that was given by Allah SWT would certainly be a warning as a Muslim to be more introspective and always remember this disaster.

"Do not let us regret it, if the remorse in the hereafter is of no use," he said.

Mawardi said that the victims of the tsunami who were recorded buried in the Siron Aceh Besar mass grave reached more than 60 thousand from various ethnicities and religions.

"But it is estimated that no less than 100 thousand are buried here, layered from various tribes, and even from various religions on this land," he said.

Mawardi said that the Siron mass grave was a milestone for the Acehnese generation, that Aceh was once reminded by Allah SWT with a big warning, namely the earthquake and tsunami.

"Hopefully this commemoration will further increase our faith, our belief in religion and others," said Mawardi Ali.