CIANJUR, WEST JAVA — “Alhamdulillah, bungah pisan nembean aya buka bersama di dieu (Sundanese, meaning: Alhamdulillah, it’s great to have iftar together for the first time here),” said a mother from Cianjur earthquake survivors who lives at the evacuation post in Kampung Panumbangan.
Warmth was felt covering the refugees at the post emergency prayer room of Kampung Panumbangan while waiting for Maghrib to come on Wednesday (12/04/22). This village is located in Cibulakan Village, Cugenang District, Cianjur, West Java. Parents and children happily gathered together at the emergency prayer room with the Dompet Dhuafa Team.
Ramadan is coming to an end, but this is the first time for them to break the fast together under a different circumstance. Yes, at the evacuation post. That day, Dompet Dhuafa through the Disaster Management Center (DMC) also presented Marjinal Band, to entertain the local people before iftar.
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The calm songs and the chanting of Salawat Asyghil added to the warm atmosphere. The sky began to drizzle, Maghrib time was approaching, the atmosphere became more and more emotional. The arrival of Marjinal there became the first moment for residents living in the post of Kampung Panumbangan.
“If we chill before the sunset, we’ll just buy snacks in front,” said Syifa, a 3rd grader elementary student who also shared her story.
Five months have passed since the Cianjur earthquake, but earthquake survivors are still living in evacuation posts while trying to get their homes back on their feet.
Even so, they still passed the days with the cheerful laughter of children, the green expanse of rice fields, and the cool air. This also added to their gratitude.
“But if it’s hot, it’s really hot in the tent. Now people in this post, only 20 Huntara (Temporary Shelter) have been made, the rest will be later,” said Mila, a resident of the post who told about the daily conditions while living in the refugee tent.
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Slowly recovering and rising, the atmosphere of Ramadan in the refugee camp is increasingly felt. Tarawih prayer is held every day in a makeshift prayer room built by DMC Dompet Dhuafa, which is also a place to recite the Quran for children.
Schools began operating as usual, either in makeshift schools or in other villages whose buildings had been renovated.
“The children of this village are still studying at the Emergency School (which is located) at the top. Well, we’re also worried about landslides, because the road (has) split,” Mila continued.
The children seemed enthusiastic and happy throughout this iftar activity. Mothers also did not need to cook that day, so that in the moment of breaking the fast together, not only happiness was felt, but also togetherness. Hopefully it could ease their burden a little.
The warm welcome from these residents also hopefully reached the donors who had extended kindness through #RamadanDariHati movement to those who were in need.
“Masyaallah, katampi pisan, mugia panjang yuswa, seeur resuki. (Sundanese, meaning: Masyaallah, I accept the breaking of the fast, I wish you a long life and a lot of sustenance),” said one of the benefit recipients of breaking the fast together this time.
“Alhamdulillah, the friends of Dompet Dhuafa held an iftar together at our post, the residents looked very enthusiastic and looked very happy. This iftar together is the first time, too, so we can also gather again and feel the warmth even in conditions like this. We are very grateful,” Mila added.
Iftar in this refugee camp can be a reminder for us to continue to give a little kindness to them, because Cianjur Earthquake survivors are still in the process of continuous recovery until now. Starting from rebuilding the housing, caring for those who are traumatized, basic needs, and others.
After iftar, the Dompet Dhuafa Team also participated in tarawih together at the makeshift prayer room, followed by chatting with local residents.
“Hatur nuhun, sing barokah, sing digentosan ku Gusti Allah kuanu langkung ageung. (Sundanese, meaning: Thank you, may it be blessed, may it be replaced by Allah SWT with something greater than this),” said a mother who lives in the refugee post of Kampung Panumbangan. (Dompet Dhuafa/Awalia R)
Kawan Baik can also help them to be able to worship again comfortably through the Mosque Waqf to rebuild mosques destroyed by the Cianjur Earthquake.