Task Force Chief Tito Joins Iftar and Tarawih Prayers with Lhokseumawe Community
The Head of the Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force for Sumatra, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, attended a communal iftar at the Grand Mosque of the Islamic Centre in Lhokseumawe, Aceh, on Friday (20/2).
During the event, Tito also presented community aid to representatives of the public and provided donations to orphans.
In his address, Tito expressed appreciation for the progress of post-disaster recovery acceleration in Lhokseumawe. He said the accelerated recovery had been achievable thanks to the support and active participation of all parties involved. He also noted that the impact of the disaster in the area was not as severe as in other parts of Aceh.
The minister, who also serves as Home Affairs Minister, urged all sections of the community to remain patient and draw wisdom from the events. Tito also cited a verse from the Quran conveying a message about the importance of patience.
“Behind every hardship, God will grant goodness. As the English saying goes, things that cannot kill you makes you stronger,” Tito said in an official statement.
On the occasion, Tito also called upon local government officials and the community not to give up in the face of disaster. He urged all parties to continue praying for accelerated recovery, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.
“The most powerful weapon is prayer. So let us pray that each of us becomes even stronger,” he said.
Furthermore, Tito announced that the community aid distributed comprised 500 packages of worship supplies — including sarongs, mukenah prayer garments, prayer mats, and copies of the Quran — from President Prabowo Subianto. Additional aid included 2,000 pieces of headscarves, trousers, and shirts, as well as 200 jackets and vests for children and adults.
Tarawih Prayers Together
In addition to the iftar and aid distribution, Tito also performed tarawih prayers with the Lhokseumawe community at the Grand Mosque of the Islamic Centre.
Tito expressed his happiness at being able to reconnect with the Lhokseumawe community whilst carrying out Ramadan worship together. He praised the grandeur of the mosque, which is a source of pride for local residents. However, he also highlighted that the mosque’s construction, which has been ongoing for nearly 30 years, has not yet been fully completed.
“I am delighted to be gathered together for iftar, then Friday prayers, Isha prayers, and God willing, shortly tarawih prayers together at this mosque that is the pride of Lhokseumawe,” Tito said before the tarawih prayers commenced.
Tito said he was impressed by the design and grandeur of the mosque, which he described as an icon of the city. He noted that when searching for information about Lhokseumawe on the internet, images of the mosque appear prominently, particularly striking when photographed at night.
However, he also observed that the building’s condition was not yet fully befitting of its status as a source of civic pride, as construction remains incomplete. Tito pledged to explore various avenues of support to help complete the mosque’s construction, both through government networks and other channels, including from abroad.
“I do not yet know exactly what I can do, but I will act. God willing, I also have many friends and colleagues who care about mosque construction,” he said.
Beyond highlighting the mosque’s development, Tito affirmed that his primary focus in Aceh is the acceleration of post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction. He noted that Aceh is one of the most extensively affected areas compared to other provinces in Sumatra.
He stressed that the government would certainly work hard to accelerate post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction in affected areas, including Lhokseumawe.