format_quote Originally Posted by
Joe98
How about the tsunami of December 2004. Most victims were muslims.
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Actually, something really good came after the tsunami.
Aceh had been wrecked by conflicts for 20 years where violence was daily occurrence. The Free Aceh Movement (GAM) who aimed for full independence for The Acehnese staged guerilla attacks while the oppressive Indonesian government under authoritarian Suharto rule for so many years placed Aceh under strict military rule which means injustices and gross human rights violations often made by both Indonesian military and GAM guerillas.
At stake was Acehnese natural resources such gas and more illicit resources such as the large plantation and production of marijuana.
The tsunami changed everything.
Acehnese are notoriously known for being difficult to work with and fiercely independent and many even say they are such an arrogant bunch, but since the tsunami, everyone came together and able to set aside their differences in order to rebuild their lives with the help of countless outsiders, nationals and internationals.
after many rounds of talks, in 2005 the Indonesian government and the GAM leaders signed the Helsinki Peace agreement which gives the Acehnese otonomy to have their own rules and regulations within the frame of Indonesia.
Post-tsunami post-conflict Aceh is now so much better than it was ever before.
There is now lasting peace, the economy is developing much better than ever with great direction, the Acehnese have become a lot more religious (and practicing) and recently its provincial parliament passed regional by-laws implementing the Sharia laws.
The tsunami has created a condition and opportunity where the Acehnese was able to create a just and prosperous society.
Not only has Allah given warning (for the existence of Allah, to mend our ways) to the rest of mankind with the tsunami, but there are so many good things came after the tsunami (and I am sure not just in Aceh, but also in other areas affected by the tsunami such as southern Thailand, parts of Srilanka and India).
When it comes to tsunami and Aceh I know what I am talking about. I have been to Aceh so many times, before the tsunami and after. My current work involves providing grants for conflict mitigation and peaceful resolution programs/activities and post tsunami reconstructions in Aceh.
Oh, FYI, Muslims (who are moo'min) who died in natural disasters are considered syahid.