Aceh – In order to accelerate dealing with victims, restoring infrastructure and opening access to international humanitarian aid in a coordinated and accountable manner, Acehnese Islamic clerics (Ulama) are asking President Prabowo Subianto to declare a national disaster in the three provinces affected by floods and landslides in Sumatra, namely Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra.
"Aceh's Ulama agreed to ask President Prabowo Subianto to declare the hydrometeorological disaster that hit Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra a national disaster emergency", said Aceh Ulema Consultative Council (MPU) Chairperson Tgk Faisal Ali as quoted by the state news agency Antara on Monday December 15.
This was conveyed based on recommendations from the results of the 2025 Aceh Ulama Muzakarah (a religious-based gathering and discussion) as well as joint prayers for the victims of the flood and landslide disaster in Aceh at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in the capital Banda Aceh.
Tgk Faisal said that the Aceh Ulama also encouraged Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf or Mualem to prepare an integrated post-disaster development road map for Aceh, oriented towards disaster mitigation, environmental restoration, strengthening the community's economy and protecting educational institutions and places of worship.
The Ulama also encouraged local governments to revise their budgets to adjust to need to handle floods and landslides.
The central government is being asked to give serious attention through budget support as well as short- and long-term strategic measures objectively and proportionally according to the level of emergency.
In other recommendations, the Ulama emphasised the importance of transparency and trust in the management of humanitarian aid, as well as law enforcement against perpetrators of environmental destruction who contributed to the disasters.
The people of Aceh are being advised to continue to strengthen social solidarity, maintain media and social ethics in the midst of disaster and avoid slander and provocation.
Normal to ask for help from central government
Tgk Faisal emphasised that handing over disaster management to the central government does not mean giving up or not working. Rather, it is a form of recognition that under certain conditions, large disasters cannot be handled by the regions themselves, so they require the presence and assistance of the central government.
He gave an example of the situation in the field when a disaster occurred, when the swift water currents mixed with rocks and other materials making it impossible for people to help each other.
"In situations like this, it is natural for regional governments to ask for greater assistance from the central government", said Tgk Faisal.
The cleric, who is known by the familiar name Lem Faisal,, said that the people of Aceh have been repeatedly been hit by terrible disasters. However, in every trial, Allah SWT (Allah the Most Holy) granted the people of Aceh the courage and inner strength to keep standing tall in the face of even the most difficult situations.
He emphasised that the Aceh Ulama would never abandon their community. In every disaster, clerics are present not only as callers of prayer, but also soul strengtheners, moral guides and bonds of solidarity.
The Ulama stand with the people amidst the rubble and tears, reminding them that disasters are a test, as well as a call to help each other and strengthen ukhuwah (fraternity).
"The Ulama will continue to work with the people and government of Aceh, both provincial and district/city governments, to help the community in facing the disaster", he said.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Ulama Aceh Minta Prabowo Tetapkan Bencana Nasional di Sumatera".]
