Another survivor, Achmad, who like many other Indonesians goes by one name, said securing a unit in Talise was not easy. The 38-year-old’s home near the beach was destroyed by the tsunami.
“The difficulty is that all the documents have to match the land which we own. It can’t be engineered. The land certificate must be in your own name,” he said, adding that some documents had been destroyed.
“It’s difficult, but we keep trying, and yes, thank God, God has given it to us. The important thing is that we are not lazy to try.”
PAYING RESPECTS
Perched on another hill, about 15 minutes’ drive from the Talise housing estate, is a public cemetery – the final resting place for many victims of the 2018 natural disaster.
In the lead up to Ramadan, families converged on the mass grave to pay their respects and offer solemn prayers to their loved ones.
The practice of visiting the grave before Ramadan is common among Muslims across Indonesia.
One of them, Palu resident Sumiati, tragically lost her young daughter in the disaster.
“She was my child. I think of her all the time,” said Sumiati.
“She always took care of her younger brothers. We will always remember her. The younger siblings sometimes cry and look for their sister.”
Juni Hasan, secretary of the Baiturrahim Lolu Palu Grand Mosque, said that while people can visit the grave anytime, some think it is better to do so when Ramadan begins.
“That’s not a problem. Most importantly is to remember those who have died and give prayers for them,” he added.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/survivors-2018-indonesia-earthquake-mark-ramadan-new-government-built-homes-4981711
