The threat of apostasy

The threat of apostasy

From Republika

According to volunteers in tsunami-stricken Aceh, only around 30 percent of Aceh people perform their religious duties as Muslims, with 70 percent comprising the volunteers themselves.

The phenomenon is apparently due to declining confidence among the Acehnese that these duties will improve the situation in their region. This certainly requires special and immediate handling because their fundamental Islamic faith is involved.

The disaster has caused trauma to millions of people, particularly children, the worst case since World War II. The pictures of large-scale devastation aired on TV have also mentally affected world communities.

Based on a case study reported by AP, 20 percent of mentally disturbed patients in Europe result from the lack of attention to the condition of those surviving crises or natural calamities. The same could happen to 20 percent of children in Aceh, who are likely to suffer from a post-traumatic stress disorder and a worse stress disorder: The threat of apostasy!

Therefore, fellow Muslims should be concerned about the mental condition of Aceh's next generation, by providing guidance so that they will get back to the true faith of Islam, besides praying for their patience, fortitude and religious adherence amid this ordeal.

DIAJENG K. Bogor, West Java