Reflections

A few weeks after the Tsunami, a local newspaper asked people in Indonesia, Why is God angry?

Mrs. Hapsha, 39, survived the ordeal with her family but lost their home and all their belongings. Some say God is punishing us because we failed to protect our land. Some say it is because some people held beach parties near a cemetery, a sacred place. Whatever the reason we should look back and ask God's forgiveness.

Mr. Zainun, 53 survived with his whole family, but lost his house. God is angry with us. We have suffered much but continue to fail to do what is demanded of us. Instead we turn our back on Him. We have become immoral in our behavior. We need to go back to the mosques and worship God.

Miss Asmarawati, a teacher. For me personally this calamity has taught me to be even more devoted to God, to ask for forgiveness and to observe Syariah (the legal code of Islam). This is a test from God, from which there are lessons to be learned.

Mrs. Habibi, survived with her family but lost their home. This is the third time that she and her family have lived in tents. I don't know if this is a punishment or a warning, and I don't know if God loves us or despises us. We have gone through so many ordeals in the past. No one knows what God is up to. All we can do is pray and hope that things will get better soon.

Mr. Syaifullah Hasan, 51,  says that we are weak and at God's mercy. God is testing us, and we have to accept this. The only logical response is to get on the right path, His path. It is time we stopped doing the things that are forbidden. I don't deny having transgressed in the past.

Mr. Syafi'ie, 42, I blame our leaders, both the Ulema and our government officials. We are being punished for their sins. They are our leaders and are responsible for our fate. The problems began when the Ulema embraced politics. Together, they are corrupting the land of Aceh. Look at all the fancy cars they are driving. They live in wealth while their people are poor.