Religious Teacher's Call to Prayers Resonates Across Indonesia's Palu

By Muhammad Faiz Baharin PALU (Central Sulawesi, Indonesia), Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Penang Tokoh Maal Hijrah 2018 award winner Kamarudin Abdullah on Monday chanted the 'azaan' (Islamic call to prayer) from a building in a housing estate here in Indonesia. As several mosques in Palu were unable to broadcast the azaan using loudspeakers following the devastating earthquake and tsunami which struck on Sept 28, the famous preacher's emphatic voice livened up the sense of gloominess in the district. Kamarudin, who is also Islamic Propagation Society International (IPSI) president gave the azaan for the Zohr prayer at around 11.45 am local time from a building in the Karisma Al-Quran Religious School which had been left vacant since the recent tragedy. He then lead the prayers for a congregation comprising volunteers of the humanitarian aid mission from the Malaysian Islamic Organisation Consultative Council (Mapim). The building has now been turned into the operating headquarters for the Mapim humanitarian mission comprising 40 volunteers including Kamarudin, who is representing IPSI. According to local residents, the religious school building was vacated as soon after the earthquake, with parents and guardians of students called to take their children home. An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 on the Richter scale and the ensuing tsunami has so far claimed more than 2,000 lives. Tokoh Maal Hijrah award was introduced in appreciation of outstanding individuals who contributed enormously to the development of Islam in the country. To be considered for the award, the individuals must be known for their exemplary behaviour and have extensive knowledge of Islam. The candidates' leadership must also be well accepted by the community. Penang is Malaysia’s northern state. -- BERNAMA