The recent earthquake in Myanmar has claimed the lives of over 2,700 people, including approximately 170 from a close-knit Muslim community in Sagaing, where Soe Nay Oo, a former imam, mourns deeply. While the community struggles with loss and logistical challenges in burying their dead, Nay Oo reflects on the pain of survivor's guilt and remains committed to aiding rescue efforts from afar.
Heartbreak and Loss: A Survivor's Grief in the Aftermath of Myanmar's Earthquake
Heartbreak and Loss: A Survivor's Grief in the Aftermath of Myanmar's Earthquake
Soe Nay Oo, a former imam now in Thailand, grapples with the devastating loss of 170 loved ones in the earthquake that struck Myanmar, as the Muslim community mourns the tragedy amidst ongoing turmoil.
In the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar, communities are grappling with an overwhelming sense of loss and sorrow. On the last Friday prayers before Eid, a powerful earthquake hit Sagaing, leading to the collapse of three mosques, including the largest, Myoma. Among the casualties were nearly 170 individuals crucial to the local Muslim community. Notably, Soe Nay Oo, the former imam of Myoma mosque, received horrifying news of his loved ones trapped beneath the rubble while he was in Thailand.
As he processed the tragic events from the safety of Mae Sot, where he had sought refuge post-coup in 2021, Nay Oo's grief deepened. The seismic disaster claimed over 2,700 lives, with estimates indicating that more than 500 victims were Muslims praying in their mosques at the time. Eyewitnesses reported intense devastation, and entire families were lost in an instant along Myoma Street, the area hardest hit.
Survivors have had to navigate significant challenges, facing fears of aftershocks and dwindling food supplies while many are now homeless. For Nay Oo, the personal toll is staggering; he mourns not just for his close relatives, including family and friends who perished, but also for the broader devastation endured by his former congregation.
The imagery of worshippers trying to escape the collapsing structures only compounds his agony. While the tragedy occurred during Ramadan—a time of spiritual reflection and community—it feels even more poignant to Nay Oo, who sees the departed as having returned to Allah's side, marking them as martyrs in a time of worship.
Compounded by ongoing violence between military forces and resistance groups, Nay Oo faces barriers to burial practices. The Muslim cemetery in Sagaing remains inaccessible due to conflict, necessitating the transport of bodies across the Irrawaddy River for burial in Mandalay. This logistical challenge not only delays proper funerals but also adds to an environment of fear and uncertainty.
In these dark times, Soe Nay Oo has set aside his work for a human rights group to focus on coordinating rescue efforts back home. Although he physically stands at a distance, he feels a profound connection to those suffering, fueled partially by survivor’s guilt. “If I could have been there, I would have fought with them,” Nay Oo confided, tears welling in his eyes. The experience has unearthed a depth of heartbreak within him that he claims he has never known before.
His commitment to help those affected remains steadfast, as estimates suggest that at least 1,000 Muslims still need assistance in the fallout of the earthquake. As he coordinates efforts and prays for the community, Nay Oo holds onto the hope of providing relief, finding solace in small acts of support for those enduring the aftermath of the catastrophe.
