Indonesians Praying for Quake Victims

Indonesian Muslims perform the Friday prayer in Bantul, near Yogyakarta. (Reuters)

"We're praying for those who died," said 30-year-old Jonathan Adam while spilling out of the Ja'far Al-Basyir mosque on the edge of quake-devastated Yogyakarta, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.

More than 6,200 people were killed and thousands went homeless when a 6.3-magnitude quake jolted Indonesia's island of Java on Saturday, May 27.

The tremor was centered just off the Indian Ocean coast near Yogyakarta, the former Javanese royal capital.

In the village of Giwangan on Yogyakarta's southern outskirts, worshippers crammed into a small green mosque as adhan (call to prayer) sounded out.

"We want to make peace inside by praying and being closer to God," said local merchant Iskak, 40.

Before the imams delivered his sermons, a special prayer leaflet was distributed entitled "Disaster and How to Face It."

International humanitarian aid and foreign medical teams have begun pouring into Indonesia's disaster zone to offer aid to thousands driven homeless by the quake.

The United Nations said on Friday, June 2, it had launched a $103 million plan to bring aid to more than 200,000 people seriously affected by the quake.

The plan includes providing emergency shelter, medical assistance, clean water and sanitation, food and child protection for the quake survivors.

Valuable Life

In the nearby village of Jati-Wonokromo, hundreds of worshippers gathered under a blue tarpaulin held up by metal poles about 100 meters away from the damaged two-story mosque while others kneeled on prayer mats.

"I feel that my life is more valuable because my life has been given to me by God," said Sukasdi, a 51-year-old police officer.

"I feel much closer to God and I can face the situation in a more peaceful way."

Sukasdi lost his cousin in Saturday's quake, while his father's home was flattened and his own house was seriously damaged.

In the capital Jakarta, thousands of Muslim worshippers also held a special prayer for the quake victims at the city's main Istiqlal mosque after the Friday prayers.

Moral Strength

Imam Ahmad Ridwan traveled the 400 kilometers (250 miles) from Bandung three days ago to perform prayers with needy villagers in Jati-Wonokromo.

He brought with him plastic sheets, underwear, diapers, prayer sarongs and other supplies for the poor villagers.

The imam said his sermon about facing the disaster "may not be 100 percent successful for making peace.

"But it may give people the feeling of friendship and solidarity, which we have to develop," he added.

"As part of our religious activities, it is an obligation to give moral strength, to give the feeling we still have friends and family in this life so we don't feel so alone after the disaster."

Ridwan said Saturday's quake likely had two lessons; teaching people about the "instability of nature" and serving as a "warning to people not to be so selfish".