After the Tremor: Cianjur Residents Gather in a Volleyball Court for Prayer
In the dusty lanes of Cianjur, a small town in western Java, hundreds of Indonesians turned their ordinary day into a spiritual rally under the cracked awning of a volleyball arena. The event came one week after a 5.6‑magnitude quake ripped through the region, taking almost 300 lives and leaving houses, roads, and a mosque in tatters.
Why the Volleyball Court?
- Clocks nearly 200 m from a mosque whose walls were shattered and windows blown out.
- The shallow quake’s shaking still rattles the hills, scaring locals.
- Safety concerns: the ground outside the mosque wasn’t stable. The court offered a flat, open space.
Cleric Leads the Moulding
Muhamad Jamhur, 52, opened the prayer session with a calm voice, “After the disaster we’re still scared. We’ve moved to the volleyball court instead of the mosque. I asked the congregation to remain vigilant; a new quake could strike at any time.”
Hope Amidst the Chaos
Even with hundreds of aftershocks shaking the air, the community clung to hope, sheltering in temporary tents while they awaited essential supplies. Food vendor Asep Hidayat, whose house fell in the blast, shared heartfelt gratitude for the chance to pray, even outside a mosque: “Prayer doesn’t pause because we’re in a shelter. It’s a duty, not a luxury.”
Rescue Efforts Continue
- Teams cleared mud and debris to search for survivors.
- About 40 people remain missing; authorities see little chance for rescue.
- Heavy rain and landslides have slowed relief efforts.
Why This Quake Was So Devastating
Indonesia, with its many fault lines, is no stranger to seismic activity. Yet this week’s quake was especially lethal because:
- The epicenter was only 10 km deep, hitting the densely populated area hard.
- Local buildings weren’t built to survive such tremors, leading to numerous collapses.
As this news spreads, many read with hope for a brighter future: a baby born in a tent, an example of resilience in the face of tragedy.
