OIC Urges Muslim Aid for Quake-hit Indonesia

RIYADH, May 27, 2006 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) called on Muslim countries to offer immediate relief aid to the victims of a powerful quake that shook Indonesia on Saturday, May 27.

"The secretary-general appeals to all the OIC member states and Islamic relief organizations to come to the rescue and lend all their assistance," OIC chief Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said in a statement carried by Reuters.

A 6.2-magnitude quake shook the area around the ancient royal city of Yogyakarta, 250 miles east of the capital Jakarta, killing up to 3,000 people and injuring thousands.

Many bodies were still buried under rubble as Indonesian authorities struggled to get aid into the devastated region.

Pope Benedict offered condolences to the quake victims, calling on rescue workers to persevere in their efforts to assist survivors.

"His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI prays for the victims and their grieving families, invoking eternal peace upon the deceased and divine comfort and consolation on all who are suffering," according to a message issued by the Vatican.

Aid Offered

Several countries raced to offered aid in the form of medical relief teams and emergency supplies for the quake victims.

Malaysia said on Saturday it will send medical supplies and rescue teams to neighboring Indonesia to help rescue survivors, said the Bernama news agency.

"The medical team will bring with them one ton of medicine and other essentials like blankets to be distributed to the victims,'' said Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak.

The European Commission also said it would release up to 3 million euros ($3.8 million) in emergency aid to help the quake victims.

The Australian government further offered $1 million in immediate aid to the quake survivors.

Both Britain and France have also sent aid to Indonesia to help it cope with the aftermath of the quake.

About 85 percent of Indonesia's 220 million people are Muslim, making it the world's most populous Muslim country.