Eternal Inspiration: The Baiturrahman Mosque - A Beacon of Faith and Unity

Indonesia is a region that can be considered earthquake-prone. This is due to the numerous earthquake sources, namely 13 megathrust segments and over 295 active fault segments.

Not only that, Indonesia, located at the convergence of three tectonic plates - Indo-Australia, Eurasia, and the Pacific, experiences earthquakes of varying magnitudes, both low and high.

On average, Indonesia experiences around 6,000 earthquakes in a year. Throughout the year 2020, there were a total of 8,264 earthquakes occurring in various highly active seismic regions, such as Western Aceh, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Sumba, North Maluku, and the Seram Island.

Several earthquakes in Indonesia have been followed by tsunamis, like the one that occurred in Aceh.

The Aceh Tsunami was preceded by an earthquake that took place at 07:59 AM local time. Shortly after, a tsunami wave emerged, estimated to be around 30 meters in height, traveling at a speed of 100 meters per second or 360 kilometers per hour.

This enormous wave then submerged houses, swept away livestock, and affected people located along the coastline at distances exceeding five kilometers.

The Aceh Tsunami: A National Tragedy

The Aceh tsunami occurred exactly 16 years ago. It's a national tragedy that can never be forgotten—the largest natural disaster, happening on December 26, 2004.

The tsunami wave swept the Aceh coast following a shallow earthquake measuring 9.3 on the Richter scale beneath the Indian Ocean. This earthquake is regarded by experts as the fifth-largest earthquake in history.

A bright Sunday turned instantly into a somber day. Weekend joy turned into deep sorrow. Indonesia mourned.

The tsunami disaster struck so violently that it severed all power and communication networks, intensifying the emergency situation.

One day after the event, the United Nations declared the Aceh tsunami a humanitarian disaster of unparalleled magnitude. Since then, international assistance poured in to aid those affected by the Aceh tsunami disaster.

Hundreds of people were found dead, and many relatives experienced the loss of their loved ones due to the waves or collapsing buildings.

The suffering of the affected community became even more profound as those who survived lost their homes. The numbers were not in the hundreds but in the hundreds of thousands, forced to live in displacement camps.

The total death toll from the Aceh tsunami disaster is estimated to be around 230,000 individuals. This count includes the affected countries across the Bay of Bengal region, spanning from India and Sri Lanka to Thailand.

After receiving a significant amount of aid and attention, both domestically and internationally, Aceh began the process of recovery. This recovery encompassed not only infrastructure and buildings but also efforts by the people of Aceh to rebuild their economy and psychological well-being.

In 2009, the Aceh Tsunami Museum was established as a place to commemorate the unforgettable event. This museum is located in the city of Banda Aceh. The architectural design of the museum was developed by Ridwan Kamil, who currently serves as the Governor of West Java.

Inside the Aceh Tsunami Museum, there are various three-dimensional miniatures that depict the atmosphere and scenes during the tragic event. The museum also includes a list of the names of the victims.

The museum has evolved into a center for learning and disaster education for the Acehnese community, aimed at better preparedness and action in case of future natural disasters. The hope is, of course, that there will never be another tsunami in this land known as the "Veranda of Mecca."

Standing Strong Amid the Tsunami: Masjid Rahmatullah

Lhoknga, a region near Banda Aceh, was one of the areas most severely impacted by the onslaught of the tsunami. The entire town was almost leveled with the ground. The tsunami swept away everything in its path: houses, schools, village halls, trees, and, tragically, people who were helpless. However, a miracle happened—a mosque stood tall amidst the destruction. Most people believed that the power of the Creator saved Masjid Rahmatullah.

This mosque stands as a witness to the devastating force of the tsunami waves that wreaked havoc on Aceh in 2004. When the tsunami occurred, the mosque, which was only 500 meters from the shoreline, was the sole building left standing. Although some parts of the mosque were damaged, the majority remained intact and survived.

Nearly 16 years after the event, this mosque, capable of accommodating around 4,000 worshippers, still stands strong. This is largely due to the assistance provided by the Turkish government through the Turkish Red Crescent, which renovated the mosque in 2006.

The mosque's pillars, which were destroyed by the tsunami, were reconstructed. Not only that, the mosque's structure was enhanced with two white minarets standing firmly on its left and right sides.

The distinctive Turkish Red Crescent logo is prominently displayed on the front of the mosque. Turkey also built 700 houses around the mosque for the victims. All of this was done free of charge. As a result, the village in the Lhoknga subdistrict earned the nickname "Turkish Village."

After the tsunami, Masjid Rahmatullah became a popular destination for visitors. Now, Masjid Rahmatullah serves not only as a place of worship but also as a tourist attraction. Each day, around 200 visitors come to the mosque and the tsunami gallery.

The mosque management intentionally created a tsunami gallery that displays the conditions of the mosque and the surrounding area after the tsunami struck. Various photos and newspaper clippings are exhibited to remind tourists of the magnitude of the tsunami.

Visitors come not only from Indonesia but also from countries such as Malaysia, Australia, Turkey, the Middle Eastern and African countries. Tourists usually come to see the mosque and learn about the history of the tsunami that devastated Aceh.

The tourists are then provided with explanations about the 2004 tsunami and learn about the nature of the tsunami waves that ravaged Aceh.

The mosque management has also preserved the original form of the rear part of the mosque to commemorate the tsunami.

Two large collapsed pillars caused by the tsunami are left in place. Apart from preserving the collapsed walls, detached windows, and carpets, they also display pieces of coral and scattered rocks on the sand. Beneath the damaged pillars, a signboard with the words "DON'T FORGET THE TSUNAMI" stands tall.

Grand Mosque of Baiturrahman: A Silent Witness to the Tsunami