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