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Myanmar Earthquake: Muslim Community in Sagaing Mourns Loss After Deadly Tremor
As the call to prayer echoed across Sagaing last Friday, hundreds of Muslims in central Myanmar congregated at the city’s five mosques. Eager to observe their final Friday prayers of Ramadan, they anticipated the approaching Eid festivities, marking the conclusion of the holy month.
However, at 12:51 local time (06:21 GMT), a devastating earthquake struck. The seismic event caused three mosques to collapse, including the largest, Myoma Mosque, tragically killing almost all worshippers inside. The Myanmar earthquake has deeply impacted the Muslim community in Sagaing with significant loss of life and widespread damage.
Former Imam’s Anguish from Afar
Hundreds of kilometers away, Soe Nay Oo, the former imam of Myoma Mosque, felt the tremor in Mae Sot, a town situated on the Thai border. In the days that followed, he learned that approximately 170 of his relatives, friends, and former congregants had perished, primarily within the mosques. Among the deceased were prominent figures within the close-knit Muslim community of the city.
“The thought of those who lost their lives, and the orphaned children of the victims, especially the young ones, is unbearable,” he expressed to the BBC. “Tears well up whenever I speak about this tragedy.”
The earthquake near Sagaing and Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, has resulted in over 2,700 fatalities. Authorities anticipate the death toll will likely increase as rescue personnel continue to extract bodies from the debris.
Devastation in Sagaing
While the region is celebrated for its ancient Buddhist temples, the cities also shelter a sizable Muslim population. According to reports from Myanmar’s leader, Min Aung Hlaing, on Monday, approximately 500 Muslims perished while praying in mosques.
Eyewitness accounts from Sagaing indicate that Myoma Street, where the mosques were located, suffered the most severe damage in the city. Numerous residences on the street also crumbled in the quake.
Hundreds of individuals have sought refuge by the roadside, displaced from their homes or too fearful to return due to the threat of aftershocks. Reports indicate a scarcity of food supplies for those affected.
In Myoma alone, over 60 individuals were reportedly crushed in the collapse, with many more deaths occurring at the Myodaw and Moekya mosques. Rescue teams were still recovering bodies from the rubble on Tuesday.
Escape Attempts Amidst Mosque Collapse
According to Soe Nay Oo, who has received numerous accounts from survivors within his community, there are indications that worshippers attempted to flee as the mosques collapsed.
Soe Nay Oo, currently residing in Mae Sot, Thailand, with his family after fleeing Myanmar following the 2021 coup, recounted the reports he received.
He stated that bodies were discovered outside the main prayer halls, in areas designated for ablutions. Some victims were found clutching each other’s hands, seemingly in desperate attempts to pull others away from the collapsing structures.
Personal Loss Deeply Felt
Among the many cherished individuals Soe Nay Oo lost was his wife’s cousin. He described her death as “the most agonizing experience” in his 13 years as an imam.
“She showered us with immense love,” Soe Nay Oo recalled. “Everyone in the family adored her. This loss is profoundly painful for us.”
Another of his wife’s cousins, a respected businessman and a Hajji who had completed the pilgrimage to Mecca, also perished in the tragedy.
“He always called me Nyi Lay, ‘little brother’ in Burmese,” Soe Nay Oo recounted. “When I married my wife, he welcomed me into the family and always treated me like his own brother.”
“He was a constant support. I have lost loved ones like him, individuals I considered brothers.”
Among his close friends who died was Soe Nay Oo’s former assistant imam, whom he remembered for his strong work ethic and exceptional Quran recitation skills.
The principal of the local public school, who also served as the sole female trustee of Myoma Mosque, also died. Soe Nay Oo remembered her for her generosity and willingness to personally finance mosque programs.
Recurring Grief and Ramadan’s Significance
He explained that each new report of a community member’s death brings a fresh wave of sorrow. “I am devastated, constantly reliving cherished memories of them.”
“Even though they weren’t close relatives, they were always welcoming, attended my prayers, and prayed alongside me.”
The timing of their deaths during Ramadan holds particular significance for him. “All who perished have returned to Allah’s abode. They will be remembered as martyrs,” he affirmed.
Challenges in the Aftermath
Like other regions of Myanmar impacted by the earthquake, the community grapples with the sheer volume of casualties.
Ongoing conflict between the military junta and resistance factions further complicates the situation. The Sagaing Muslim cemetery is situated near territory controlled by the People’s Defence Forces (PDF) and has been inaccessible to the public for several years. Military forces have continued bombing operations in areas of the wider Sagaing region following the earthquake.
Sagaing city’s Muslim community has been compelled to transport the deceased to Mandalay for burial, crossing the Irrawaddy River via the only bridge connecting the two cities, according to Soe Nay Oo.
The bodies are being held at Mandalay’s largest mosque for burial. Some burials have been delayed beyond the 24-hour timeframe prescribed by Islamic tradition.
“For Muslims, being unable to personally bury our loved ones at their final resting place is deeply distressing,” he lamented.
Community Resilience and Survivor’s Guilt
Survivors are contributing to rescue efforts while grappling with immense trauma. “Some from my community asked me for prayers. Honestly, they were unable to articulate the depth of their loss when I spoke with them.”
Being away from his former congregation is profoundly difficult for Soe Nay Oo. Like many Myanmar citizens living abroad, he experiences survivor’s guilt.
“If I were still the imam at the time of the earthquake, I would have been with them – a fate I could accept. If not, I could at least be there to offer assistance.”
“Now, returning is impossible. It’s a painful reality to confront.”
Soe Nay Oo’s voice broke with emotion. “This profound sadness and helplessness I feel is unprecedented in my life. I am not one to cry easily.”
He added that sleepless nights have become his norm. His worry intensifies due to the lack of contact with some family members, including siblings who were in Mandalay.
Coordinating Relief Efforts
Soe Nay Oo has temporarily suspended his work with a human rights organization in Thailand to dedicate himself to coordinating rescue efforts in Sagaing. He is relaying any information he obtains from his contacts within the city to those providing aid.
He estimates that at least 1,000 Muslims in the region are affected and require assistance.
“The only solace I find is when someone on the ground requests help, and I can provide it,” he concluded.