Siron Mass Grave Becomes Aceh Tsunami Warning Center

Peringatan Tsunami Aceh (Foto: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Culture and Tourism Office (Disbudpar) has determined the location for the 18th anniversary of the Aceh Tsunami to be centered on the Siron Mass Grave, Want Jaya District, Aceh Besar District.

“The Siron Mass Grave is one of the places to witness how devastating the 2004 tsunami was. There are more than 40 thousand martyrs buried there. So, it's not just ceremonial activities, but we can all make pilgrimages there," said the Head of Aceh's Culture and Tourism Agency, Almuniza in Banda Aceh, Sunday.

He explained that this activity was part of a series of activities including contemplation, remembrance and prayers, donations for orphans, pilgrimages, as well as tausiah and joint prayers.

There is a pin for tausiah which will be filled in by the Chairman of the Aceh Dayah Ulama Association (HUDA), Tgk H Muhammad Yusuf A Wahab and the remembrance of prayer will be guided by the Leader of the Darul Mujahiddin Lhokseumawe Islamic Boarding School, Tgk Muslim At Thahiri.

Then, the existence of this tomb also provides a lesson in terms of tolerance, and mutual respect between religious believers.

"Every time a tsunami is commemorated, there are many pilgrims from different ethnicities, religions and cultures who mingle at the Siron Tsunami Mass Grave to pray for their families and relatives," he said.

This year's 18th anniversary of the tsunami carries the theme "Strengthening, Building a Culture of Disaster Awareness".

"The contents of this theme are a form of the government's efforts to invite the public to always be enthusiastic in transforming and rising in building a culture of disaster awareness," said Almuniza.

He considered that the tsunami warning which is held every year is one of the Aceh Government's efforts to educate the next generation of the nation to always be prepared for disasters.

“The people of Aceh must always build a culture of disaster awareness in an effort to anticipate events that may occur in the future. In essence, education remains the main point in every tsunami warning year," said Almuniza.

He added that the tsunami warning was a moment of reflection for the people of Aceh as a medium of learning and strengthening faith in Allah SWT.

"We also have to be aware of natural phenomena and teach them to future generations, because of course we cannot prevent natural disasters, but we can definitely do it together in a collaborative spirit," he said.