- 06.02.2023
EARTHQUAKE
On February 6, at 4:17 AM, we experienced an earthquake in Kahramanmaraş Province (Pazarcık-Elbistan) with a detected earthquake magnitude of 7.7 affecting 10 surrounding provinces. Many houses were destroyed, and most of the remaining houses were severely damaged. So far, approximately 44 thousand lives were lost. From the first day of the incident, government institutions and NGOs sent teams and materials to the scene. Alhadulillah, we were among the NGOs that sent materials and teams to the earthquake area. We learned and followed the gravity of the situation closely from our team member who were on the ground in the earthquake affected areas. Of course, there were those who tried to hold on to life in these 10 provinces where thousands of lives were lost, because life continued despite all its weight and pain. Thousands of tents were set up on the site to accommodate the remaining families. Although the active continuation of the aftershocks negatively affects the people living in these regions and the teams there for relief efforts, everyone continues to work hard to reactivate life in the region. Survivors try to live with their pain and fears without being able to rejoice in their lives. Many pictures are left unfinished, unspoken words are left in the mouths, the food prepared for winter is in the cupboard, the feelings that have been postponed because I will say it tomorrow are left in the hearts. While piles of debris and rubble formed a mountain, pain as much as a mountain accumulated in unfinished stories. The one who left could not burn what he left behind, the rest did not understand that he was alive. It was a nest lit by the chirping of children in every rubble. Each nest was a thousand memories. A minute left behind perhaps a hundred years of indelible pain. February 6 was a morning awakening to darkness.
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الْاَمْوَالِ وَالْاَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِۜ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِر۪ينَۙ
We will certainly test you with some fear, some hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits. Give glad-tidings to those who are patient!
(2/Baqara, 155)