TEMPO.CO, Banda Aceh - Aceh Tourism and Culture Agency holds a commemoration of 14th year of Aceh tsunami and earthquake in Tgk Mahraja Gurah Mosque, Gampong Lam Geu Ue, Peukan Bada, Aceh Besar District, today, December 26, 2018. As many as 10,000 people are estimated to attend the event.

Head of the Marketing division of the agency Rahmadhani explained guests visiting the event would come from other provinces and abroad such as Malaysia and Japan.

“We hope the tsunami commemoration this year will run successfully as those in previous years, and hopefully, we can maintain the togetherness, solidarity, and cleanliness here,” said Rahmadhani in Aceh Besar, Tuesday, December 25. A famous Islamic cleric Abdul Somad will deliver a speech in the event.

According to Rahmadhani, the tsunami Aceh commemoration aims as a reflection, appreciation, mitigation, and promotion. Reflection means the disaster should be a reminder that humans are powerless before God. “Every disaster must be taken as a way to conduct self-introspection,” he said.

Tsunami Aceh commemoration is expected to be a moment to remember and express gratitude to all local or international people for support and solidarity in the development of Aceh. The event is also a remembrance to raise awareness on disaster mitigation.

Further, the commemoration day aims to promote Tsunami Memory Tourism which can be an effective media to illustrate the power, resistance, and determination of the community. “A media to share disaster experiences to tourists and as a way to improve the economy via tourism sector,” he added.

Rahmadhani said visitors in the commemoration event of Aceh tsunami would see the solidarity of Acehnese people hand in hand developing the region and join the kenduri (having a traditional meal together).

ANTARA