ISLAM AND DISASTER: A REFINED CONCEPT THROUGH COMMUNITY’S DISASTER PERCEPTION OF POST THE 2004 INDIAN OCEAN TSUNAMI

Abstract

Purpose of the study:The purpose of this study is to present the Islamic conception on the disasters that accepted by the communityfrom a case of Aceh of post the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Methodology:The data was collected from several interviews with the key persons in tsunami-affected areas. The interviewed key persons wereTengkus or Ulamaswho havea role in constructing the community disaster perception, community members and related stakeholders. The interview results were identified and coded based on the similarity and related to the study purpose. Main Findings:The interpretation of disaster based on the religious context of post the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami has been trended negatively to construct the community’s disaster perception. The perceptions are most driven by the key person in society such as Tengkus or Ulamasbut it seems to be far from disaster risk reduction goals. The disaster risk reduction efforts should pay on this matter in order to make community more resilient to face future disasters. Applications of this study:This study can be useful as the important noted in strengthening and managing disaster risk perception through community disaster preparedness based on scientific explanation and its relationship to the religious perspectives. The findings from this study could be included through the disaster risk reduction effort, policy, programs. Novelty/Originalityof this study:The originality of this study lays on the fact that the religious leaders in the community such as Tengkusor Ulama of post the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami take roles in constructing the community disaster perceptions. Researchers have not yet fully studied the development process of disaster perception based on the religious perspectives of post-disaster and how to deal on it.