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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

 News Right Now: Fault Lines

Frank Hogerbeets, a Dutch researcher, had warned in a tweet on February 3 that “sooner or later” there will be a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in the region of South-Central Turkey, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Although it was impossible to know exactly when, the fact that this region lies on two fault lines and sits on three tectonic plates was a warning to take pretty seriously and should’ve been a trigger for readiness. His prediction came true just three days later when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria. Putting this warning aside, it is worth wondering how much the Turkish government was prepared to deal with such eventualities.

Although it is difficult to know how much, the efforts and work by the government has been pretty disappointing. A massive rescue operation was required with 10 out of 81 of Turkey's provinces highly affected. The critical hours where help was imperative, saw nothing. Rescue teams in fact had arrived after two to three days due to 6000 collapsed buildings and damaged roads. Buildings which experts have now said were not designed to withstand strong earthquakes and chances for survival for people inside were minute. And the worst thing about all this, is the government was aware that there exists buildings which are in violation of the relevant codes but they were bought by constructionists to look the other way.

We saw the earthquake in 1999 where more than 17,000 people were killed. This resulted in the creation of the earthquake tax levied by the government which was to be spent on disaster prevention and development of emergency services. This money has raised questions – where is it? Why has it not been used now when needed? Wasn’t it exactly for times like this?

At the time of writing, the death toll has reached 41,000. From Turkey and Syria to feeling the trembles in Jordan, Cyprus and Lebanon, the 7.8 magnitude earthquake has shocked the world and pained the Ummah. The response from the Muslims around the world was no surprise. The Ummah proved we are united and feel the suffering of those who have been hugely affected. Cartons and Lorries of clothes, blankets, food, basic hygiene necessities etc have been sent. Local businesses donated all their food items. Numerous collections for sending money and Sadaqah have been organized. Alhamdulillah, there is truly khair in our Ummah. Even non Muslim countries have poured in to help. However, sadly there has been a clear difference in the help received in Turkey and that in Syria. Rescue teams, donations, aids – were poured in from country leaders to turkey. In Syria, the first UN aid convoy reached after 3 full days into the earthquake. They had no help, no support, no food, no items, nothing for three days from our Muslim leaders or foreign nations. Survivors say they could hear their children alive under rubble but had no way to get them out. Now was the time to demand all border crossings open and a flow of aid be let in; but we saw nothing of the sort.

Events such as earthquakes are of course out of the realm of control for man. However the response of such events is in man’s control. Islam places the responsibility on the government and only the government for managing disasters and emergencies. All areas related to this would be taken care of. Pre-disaster management to reduce the impact of the disasters; developing action plans for the disaster like special team forces, evacuation plans, alternative accommodation, delivery of supplies and food; dealing with the disaster like rescuing the victims, transferring them to safe zones; fixing the consequences of the disaster like rebuilding infrastructure. These are just some of the points responding to disasters, motivated by the shariah which obliges the authority to take care of its people. It is only the Khilafah system that assures that human life is valued and there is a protector and imam over him who will fulfill his right towards him.

May Allah hasten the return of the Khilafah which will take care of the people in the best of ways biidnillah. Ameen!

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