TEMPO.CO, Banda Aceh - Dozens of journalists in Banda Aceh from numerous organizations and media held a prayer on Monday, December 25, to commemorate fellow journalists who lost their lives in the Aceh tsunami that took place 13 years ago.

According to the event leader Yayan, there were 22 journalists of Aceh who died when the tsunami hit the region. Most of them were carrying out their journalistic duties.

“We gather tonight to send our prayers to our friends. Their spirit will always live in our memories,” he said.

Journalists who died caused by the tsunami were Muharram, Nazamuddin Umar, Muhammad Rokan, Erwiyan Safri, Ridwan Ishak, Erismawati, Sayed Alwi, Aswin Choki, Taufan Nugraha, and Safwan.

Islamic Ustad Akmal Abzal who led the prayers highlighted the noble profession of a journalist. “Imagine, when the tsunami hit, without the journalists who reported, recorded, took pictures, Aceh would have a long time to heal,” he said.

He reasons that Aceh journalists were also commendable in reporting the post-tsunami rehabilitation and reconstruction process. “Their work rallied the solidarity from everyone in the world to help Aceh,” said Ustad Akmal.

The tsunami hit Aceh on the early morning of December 26, 2004, which killed nearly 200,000 people and caused hundreds of thousands of homes were destroyed by the strong tsunami waves that went up to 2 kilometers inland.

Adi Warsidi (Contributor)