MANDALAY, MYANMAR – In a few days, Eid-ul-Fitr will arrive. The image of a warm holiday full of togetherness and happy smiles was already in front of the eyes of Myanmar Muslims in Mandalay and its surroundings.
Unfortunately, on Friday (3/28/2025) afternoon, their hopes were shattered, along with their mosque, Swe Pho Shing Mosque, which was hit by an earthquake during Friday prayers. At least 20 people were killed on the spot. Dozens were injured.
In another mosque, Myoma Mosque, more than a hundred worshippers were killed. Almost all the worshippers who were praying on Friday died.
The earthquake was centered in Sagaing and Mandalay. The shock was tremendous, reaching 7.7 magtitude, followed by a 6.4 magtitude earthquake. Almost all mosques and buildings collapsed, especially around the epicenter in the Mandalay and Sagaing regions.
Myanmar is in mourning. Mandalay, Sagaing, and Southern Shan State were paralyzed by the earthquake. Electricity was cut off. Cellular networks were cut off. Mobility was halted and flights were closed.
The death toll continues to rise. The same goes for the injured and the missing. Material losses are already difficult to mention.
As of the 12th day, 3,600 people were reported dead, 5,017 were injured, and 160 people were still missing. The earthquake took its toll not only in Myanmar but also in neighboring countries, especially Thailand.
Assistance of 2,000 Prepared Meals and 350 Food Packages
Aid from various countries arrived, including from Indonesia. DT Peduli, assisted by DT Ready volunteers, distributed 2,000 hot meals and 350 food packages on Friday (4/4/2025) and Saturday (5/4/2025).
DT Ready volunteers moved to distribute the aid to the Mandalay area. Firdaus Guritno, a DT Ready Volunteer, said that he and the rest of the DT Ready team were the first Indonesians to arrive in Mandalay to assist earthquake victims.
“Alhamdulillah, we are the first Indonesians to arrive in Mandalay, because the Basarnas and other rescue teams in cooperation with the Myanmar government were directed to Naypyidaw, not Mandalay,” he explained amidst the ruins of the mosque in Mandalay, on Friday (4/4/2025).
Rebuilding the Mosque
In addition to distributing food aid, DT Ready volunteers also reviewed and assessed the mosques that were destroyed by the earthquake to determine further programs, one of which is rebuilding the mosque after the earthquake.
“Insha Allah, today and tomorrow our agenda in the field is the distribution of hot meals and the distribution of food aid packages that we bring from Yangon. On the day after tomorrow, Insha Allah, we will assess several mosques that were destroyed to rebuild the mosques in Mandalay after the earthquake,” explained Firdaus.
Three mosques were destroyed, almost flattened to the ground. Two of them are Swe Pho Shing Mosque and Myoma Mosque. The ruins of the mosques were scattered around. The mosques in Mandalay were among the most severely damaged, with at least 20 people killed in the Swe Pho Shing Mosque and hundreds killed in the Myoma Mosque.
“Most of the debris is from inside the mosque that was taken out after it was almost completely destroyed,” Firdaus explained sadly showing the debris of Swe Pho Shing mosque that was scattered on the ground.
The aid that has come is a hope for those affected by the earthquake. Post-earthquake recovery continues, both psychological recovery due to trauma, as well as infrastructure recovery, including mosques that have been destroyed.