The powerful earthquake in Indonesia that killed at least 35 people and damaged huge properties is painful news (“At least 35 killed as quake rocks Indonesia,” Jan.14, Gulf Today website).

A powerful earthquake rocked Indonesia’s Sulawesi island early on Friday, killing at least 35 people, levelling a hospital and severely damaging other buildings, authorities said.

Hundreds more were injured when the 6.2-magnitude quake struck in the early hours, triggering panic among the terrified residents of the island, which was hit by a huge quake and tsunami two and a half years ago that killed thousands.

There is no doubt that earthquakes are one of the most devastating and frightening natural disasters a person can experience. Earthquakes happen without any warning all over the world. Even advanced technology in the world has failed to produce any kind of instruments or mechanism to identify and get advance information about the earthquakes before they strike.  The Indonesian brothers and sisters who faced the deadliest natural disaster on Friday are now coping with their most difficult time. The world should come forward together and help the Indonesian government and the families who lost their beloved ones and their valuable properties in the powerful earthquake.  I would like to express my deep sorrow to the families of people who lost their loved ones in the powerful earthquake, and pray to Allah Almighty to grant all the victims of the earthquake a high place in paradise.

Jahangir Atta
By email