Warmth of Eid al-Fitr in Agusen Village, Aceh, with Temperatures at 13 Degrees Celsius
The echoes of takbir resounded throughout Agusen Village, Blangkejeren Subdistrict, Gayo Lues Regency, Aceh, as hundreds of flood survivors celebrated Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah amid cold temperatures reaching 13 degrees Celsius on Saturday.
From early morning around 05:00 WIB, residents began emerging from their homes to observe the tradition of silaturahmi. They visited one another, starting with the homes of the village elders as a sign of respect and to uphold local customs.
One resident, Sabedah (41), participated in the tradition by visiting the village elder’s home to exchange forgiveness with other villagers. The event unfolded simply yet with a strong sense of family, where residents shook hands and offered warm embraces as if among blood relatives.
Meanwhile, Rahmat (62), one of the village elders, waited at the door of his temporary shelter (huntara) along with his children and grandchildren to greet arriving villagers with cheerful smiles, before proceeding together to the open field prepared for the communal Eid prayer.
They lined up in a long procession towards the Eid prayer site located beneath the hill where the huntara units were built. Along the red, rocky dirt path, they mingled with other disaster survivors who did not occupy huntara but had chosen to return to their renovated homes.
In the queue, one resident expressed gratitude that no lives were lost in the disaster that struck the village.
“Fortunately, hundreds of Agusen residents did not become fatalities. Allah SWT still cherishes us,” he said.
From another line, a response came with hopes that life would improve as before.
“Be patient, sir. It will get better,” the woman replied.
Upon arriving at the prayer field, residents came in pairs while carrying prayer mats and makeshift ground covers.
Some women laid out mats and carpets brought from the huntara, while others helped tidy the rows on the still sandy and rocky ground.
Children sat in groups beside their parents, occasionally gazing at the bustling scene with faces full of curiosity.
Despite the limited facilities, a reverent atmosphere prevailed as the prayer commenced. The rows of worshippers formed neatly facing the qibla, against the backdrop of green hills surrounding Agusen Village.
After the prayer concluded, residents exchanged handshakes and forgiveness, creating a warm atmosphere of togetherness amid conditions that have not fully recovered.
They returned to their shelters or homes to enjoy dishes such as rendang, lontong, gulai kari, and lemang infused with the distinctive Gayo spices.
Agusen Village was one of the areas significantly impacted by the flash flood at the end of November 2025. The village has a total of 279 families, all of whom were affected.
Of these, 155 households occupied huntara because their homes were damaged, destroyed, or swept away by the raging currents. The rest chose to stay and repair their old homes using salvaged materials from the flood.