Indonesian Muslims hold Friday prayers in emergency tents after earthquake damages mosque

In Mbay, Nagekeo Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, the resilience of the Muslim community is on full display as they continue their Friday prayers in emergency tents. The Grand Baiturrahman Mosque, a central place of worship, suffered damage following a significant earthquake that struck the Flores region on August 15, 2026.

The magnitude 7.7 earthquake, with its epicenter near Mbay, caused considerable disruption, damaging homes and public facilities, including the mosque. Despite the structural damage rendering the mosque unsafe for use, the faithful have adapted by setting up temporary prayer facilities. These tents, erected adjacent to the damaged mosque, now serve as a place for congregational worship.

This adaptation highlights the community's determination to maintain religious practices amidst the aftermath of the disaster. The temporary arrangement ensures that Friday prayers, a significant weekly observance, can proceed without interruption while assessments and repairs are undertaken for the mosque. The situation reflects ongoing post-disaster recovery efforts in Flores, where essential services and community life are gradually being restored.

The earthquake's impact, reported by the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), included casualties and widespread building damage across Flores. Efforts are ongoing to address the needs of the affected population and to repair damaged infrastructure, including places of worship.