MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – Muhammadiyah is urging a renewed focus on disaster preparedness, drawing inspiration from the stories of the Prophets.
Abdul Mu’ti, General Secretary of Muhammadiyah, spoke at a meeting of the Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center (MDMC) and its partners on April 1. During his address, Mu’ti emphasized the valuable lessons embedded within Islamic narratives.
“The Quran provides valuable insights on disaster mitigation through the stories of Prophets Nuh (Noah) and Yusuf (Joseph)” he explained. Mu’ti pointed to the story of Yusuf’s dream about the fat and thin cows as a metaphor for the importance of stockpiling food in anticipation of potential famines. “This is a clear lesson in disaster preparedness,” he declared.
Mu’ti argued for a robust food logistics system as a cornerstone of effective disaster mitigation. He further highlighted the significance of the story of Nuh’s ark, emphasizing the need to be comprehensive in disaster planning.
“Even in the absence of rain or storms, Nuh built the ark,” Mu’ti said. “Despite facing skepticism, even from his own son, Nuh’s foresight ultimately ensured his and his followers’ survival. This story serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims regarding the importance of disaster resilience. Too often, we find ourselves scrambling in the face of disasters due to a lack of preparedness.”
While acknowledging the role of science in understanding and mitigating disasters, Mu’ti expressed concern about the overall level of public preparedness within Indonesia.
“Science allows us to understand the causes of earthquakes and implement preventative measures through construction and policy decisions,” he explained. “The key is to be proactive, not reactive.”
Mu’ti underscored the significance of building strong, disaster-resistant infrastructure. He argued that such infrastructure not only minimizes damage but also alters our perception of disasters themselves.
“By prioritizing mitigation and preparedness, we can build resilience,” he said. “Disasters shouldn’t be seen solely as events requiring reactive repairs. Through proper planning and infrastructure, we can ensure that disasters are less devastating and communities are better equipped to respond.”
In conclusion, Mu’ti, along with the MDMC partners, called for a collaborative effort to build a culture of progressive resilience. This initiative would involve advocating for standardized disaster-resilient infrastructure policies, implementing public education programs, and establishing readily available disaster relief funds. Ultimately, the goal is to cultivate a “collective movement” dedicated to serving communities and ensuring their safety in the face of potential disasters.
