Background

As we known, people of Nias Island was suffering badly. Nias was affected by the horrifying natural disaster twice in this last three year.

Firstly, the tsunami on December 26 2004 along with Aceh. Secondly, the earthquake that happened last March 28 2005. This natural disaster often claimed fatalities and turned many buildings, including the Masjid (mosque)and Madrasah (Islamic school).

Refer to official record, 50% of 154 Masjid (mosque) in Nias experienced damage or collapsed. Listed 77 Masjid, including Madrasah (Islamic school)experienced damage. From 77 broken/damaged Masjid, 32 is heavy damage and collapse, they located in four cities where many Muslim community base, that is Gunung Sitoli, Lahewa, Teluk Dalam and Sirombu.

More than two years tsunami and earthquake passed by, from 32 heavy damage/ collapse Masjid and Madrasah, as told by Azhar Chaniago, former Chairman of Muhammadiyah Nias Regency, just four already rebuild permanently, that is Ladara Tuhemberua Mosque, Taqwa Tetehosi Mosque, Mosque Taqwa in Boyo Village and Mosque of Lagundri Bay in South Nias. The rest still in temporary building.

Why only few can rebuilt?

The lack of cost, while the source of the fund that could be hoped for from local Moslems very few. Moreover population of Moslems in Nias so little, around 31.227 or 4,47% from all over the inhabitants of Nias Island. Most of them affected by the two disasters above.

Before tsunami and earthquake, most of donors are the trader from West Sumatra (Minang tribe). But they went to leave Nias post the earthquake. Sriwijaya Post, on April 1 2005 reported, that thousands of residents Minang left Nias. As Taswin says, the Management of the Association of the Malalo Family (IKMAL) West Sumatra: “We have no hope anymore there again. Our house and business all was destroyed and we are in lack of food situation. To rebuild and reestablish our business will took time and big effort”. Might be the similar matter was done also by that was other who left Nias.

Moslems in Nias hoped that the government could rebuild theire Masjid and Madrasah, especially that was located in the muslim community base. Several Masjid has received only few donation, but it’s only enough to built temporary building, far from suitable Masjid. Certainly must be realised the government capability was also limited. Because of that we must count of our self supporting from muslim community, both in Nias personally and outside Nias.

The resident of Muslim from Nias that for a long time live in the foreign region, had continued to monitor this condition in Nias. Many of their relatives who still in Nias were telling about their very sad condition.

In fact Moslems from Nias who live in foreign region not too many. In muslim Nias family database who live around in Jakarta city, was listed only 185 household. Although a little but they had the strong spirit and the strong intention to help Moslems in Nias.(ypmn)