Allah says in Quran in verse AL-ZALZALA (THE EARTHQUAKE):

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
When the earth is shaken to her (utmost) convulsion,
And the earth throws up her burdens (from within),
And man cries (distressed): 'What is the matter with her?'-
On that Day will she declare her tidings:
For that thy Lord will have given her inspiration
On that Day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown the deeds that they (had done).

Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good, see it!
And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it.


PUBLISHED BY: JAMIATUL ULAMA (KZN)
Volume 4 No. 2 - December 1999 - Sha'baan 1420


AN EYE-WITNESS REPORT� - EARTHQUAKE IN TURKEY

The majestic and Inimitable Qur'an states, "Did the people of the town then feel secure against the coming of Our Punishment by night while they are asleep?" (A'raaf 97)

By the grace of Allah Ta'ala and His taufeeq we had the opportunity to practise on the following advice of the Quraan al-Kareem: "So travel in the land and see the consequences of those rejectors." (Quran).

On the 17th of August 1999 at 3.05 in the morning a devastating earthquake struck several towns in Turkey close to the coast of the Marmara Sea.

Since Muslims were not allowed to take relief goods to Turkey unless it was handed over to the Red Cross, we decided to go and assess the situation for ourselves.

After arriving in Istanbul, our local Turkish brothers took us to the affected areas. The first town we visited was Adapazari. The shock of the devastating scene of destruction virtually took our breath away. We were unable to express our mixed emotions of astonishment, sorrow and awe at the tremendous manifestation of Allah Ta'ala's might and power.


Solid Structures - Concrete, Rubble and twisted steel
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These were the most common sights that we saw: solid five story concrete buildings that had collapsed as if they were pancakes piled up; buildings that had become a massive pile of concrete rubble and twisted steel; buildings that were torn in half and lay on either side; buildings that had fallen on other buildings and caused a domino effect whereby a row of buildings fell one upon the other; buildings whose supporting pillars beneath collapsed thereby crushing cars parked in the basements; buildings that were still intact but totally abandoned (resulting in an eerie ghost-like atmosphere) due to the fear of aftershocks (some 900 aftershocks were recorded).


People's Reaction
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The population of Turkey is 95% Muslim. The people in the affected areas were very pleased to meet Muslims from a foreign country. They welcomed us and appreciated our moral support and Deeni advice.
Previously Musjids were averaging half to one row. After the earthquake we were seeing at least four to five rows in some areas while in other areas they were almost full.

The elderly men were quite emotional since by nature they are very softhearted and warm people. Some men actually hugged us and cried. Some brothers told us that they had forgotten to make Sajdah to Allah Ta'ala so He made their buildings fall in sajdah!!!

People told us how they were harshly awakened from their sleep during the early hours. (Refer to the opening verse above). They were thrown from side to side in total darkness since there was an immediate power failure. They virtually tumbled, crawled and fell out of these collapsing buildings while the thick dust which resulted from crumbling buildings added to the problems of poor visibility and inability to breathe. Many came out in only their underwear while some were even naked (Allah Ta'ala save us). A brother told us that he rushed out in such panic he totally forgot his two little daughters in the house. Another said he only remembered his paralysed mother in the house two hours later. This reminds one of the verse in the Quraan Kareem: "On that Day (Qiyaamah) shall a man flee from his own brother, and from his mother and father, and from his wife and children. Every man, that Day, will be in such a state that will make him unmindful of others." (Abasa 34-37).

A building contractor told us personally that he was involved in laying the foundation of the El-Mas (Diamond) Hotel. Just the foundation of this five-star hotel had 350 tons of concrete and steel. He said that if Allah Ta'ala could destroy this building, then He (Ta'ala) can destroy anything.

This hotel collapsed completely in a pile of rubble and about 300 people were dragged out, of which approximately 80% were in the state of Zina (fornication) - Ma'ath-Allah. Then there was the banker who arrived back from a business trip to search in the remains of his house for his wife. He found her crushed with his best friend in the shameful act of Zina. In this are great lessons for the ummah, since tragically many of the same vices are prevalent in our society.


Ismit-The best help
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We went next to Ismit which is an industrial town. Almost 35% of the industries were destroyed in the earthquake. Here we spent two days and we found that conditions were much the same. We managed to visit a few big camps. People told us that they experienced difficulties in acquiring tents.

Prices shot up exorbitantly. Many people were forced to use tree branches and plastic sheeting for shelter. When we saw this we were reminded of the squatters back home. Some of them told us that their homes are still intact but they are too terrified to return to their homes. Yet many owned two or three homes and here they were living like squatters. 45 seconds reduced them to this level. How safe are we? Yet we sacrifice our Aakhirat to purchase a so-called mansion on interest when in seconds it can be reduced to rubble.

We were also fortunate to gain access and visit a big camp which was run by American Missionaries (manned by military guards). These people are given easy access to promote their religion while Muslims are restricted. This camp had very comfortable facilities, nice tents, toilets and feeding tents. Yet when we spoke to some of the young people there, giving them Deeni advice and brotherly moral support, they responded by saying that this visit of ours was the best help anyone had ever given them. Their thirst and zeal for Deen was remarkable.


Istanbul: Panic
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We returned briefly to Istanbul and while there, we experienced a brief tremor which lasted less than 10 seconds. We happened to be in a narrow street which had four-storey buildings on either side. The street was crowded with pedestrians and vehicles. To get out of harm's way of falling buildings was virtually impossible. We came out of the building to find people hurriedly leaving to get out of danger, panic and fear was clearly visible on their faces. Shops closed up and people were busy using cellphones to check on their families. This scene reminded us of Surah Hajj wherein Allah Almighty says, 'Indeed, the violent shaking of the Hour (of Judgment) is a terrible thing. The day you shall see it, every nursing mother will forget her suckling child, and every pregnant being will drop its load, and you shall see mankind as if in a drunken state, yet they will not be drunk, rather it is the punishment of Allah that is severe.' (Sur 22-Ver.1-2)

We found out that this tremor measured 5.8 on the Richter scale and 60 people in Ismit died. Ten people died when they jumped out of high buildings. These people were desperate to get out in order to avoid being buried in the buildings.


Golcuk-The Ball of Fire
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In the previous towns we heard reports of the naval base in Golcuk that was destroyed. We were anxious to establish this news from the locals in the town. What we discovered was shocking to say the least. The following report was repeatedly verified by the local people while it had been totally concealed in the "free" media:

On the fateful night of 17 August 1999 a big bash (as reported by local caterers present there till midnight) was held at the Turkish Naval Base.

It was attended by foreign military advisors (Israeli, British, American and French). Junior officers were being promoted and senior officers were being retired. A junior officer was rebuked for reading the Quraan Kareem and the senior officer threw the Quraan Kareem to the floor (ma'az-Allah).

This resulted in a scuffle between them. Furthermore, anti-Islamic sentiments were expressed at this function. (Keep in mind that on 28 February the military govt. had issued a proclamation banning the wearing of the Amaamah (turban), Hijaab, long Jubba and banned Islaamic education for children under the age of 14: We were shown a few madressa buildings that were closed down by the military govt. They had therefore declared war on Islaam).

Furthermore, the following statements made by the Officials at this function were repeated to us several times by various people:

It was reported to us that one of the officers said, "We (NATO in the disguise of the Turkish Military) are now in a position to totally eradicate Islam from Turkey." Another also said, "We are in such a secure and fortified position (in the Golcuk Naval Base) that we are now ready to execute our plans for the rest of Eastern Europe (as has been done with Western Europe under the control of Nato) that nothing can stop us now. He then said mockingly, "Not even Allah can stop us now."

We had been told that in the whole of Turkey no place was more strongly fortified than the naval base. It was earthquake-proof and bomb-proof. All the important supplies, equipment, weapons and ammunition were stored there.

This is how events that occurred thereafter on that same night were described to us by the local people: "A crying sound first emanated from the earth (as though the earth was crying because of the weight of the sins)."

Thereafter a terrifying roar was heard from the depths of the earth. One brother said, "The sound was so frightening that it gripped our hearts. We thought it was Qiyaamah (Day of Judgement) and we thought we were finished."

A musician also told us that if the sound had lasted for a minute longer, people would have died from the sound alone. The Quraan Kareem declares, "And when our command (of punishment) came, We saved Sh'uaib and those who believed with him because of Mercy from Us, while As-Saihah (the awful sound) seized the wrong-doers so they lay (dead) prostrate in their homes." (Sur.Hud:Ver.94)

In Surah al-Haaqqah (Ver.5), Allah Ta'ala says, "As for Thamud, they were destroyed by the Thaagiyah (an awful shout which exceeds all limits of sound)."

Thereafter people noticed the ground becoming hot with steam coming out in some places. Furthermore, they noticed the tide on the coastline of Golcuk (Sea of Marmara) very low until the sea-bed was visible. Suddenly, a massive ball of fire (lava) erupted from the sea-bed into the sky. Some people noticed the sky crimson-red at that time. The ball of fire landed square on the Naval Base! At the same time the earth had become alive causing waves on land as if it was water and buildings were shaken violently for 45 seconds until they came crashing and crumbling down. This was followed up by a massive thirty to forty metre-high wave which crashed on to the Golcuk coastline and went almost half a kilometre inland. (Satellite pictures showing how far the coastline had been eaten up by this tidal wave had been published in the local Turkish newspaper). This wave virtually swallowed the naval base, a casino and a hotel nearby into the sea.

This entire incident was not reported in the so-called "free media". Who is responsible for this cover-up? Was it because Nato and the Turkish military were so embarrassed after their boastful and arrogant statements that they ordered a complete cover-up? This is the consequence of those who behave arrogantly, just as the people of Aad who built homes out of sturdy mountains and said, "Who is greater in strength than Us?" Allah Ta'ala destroyed them with a fierce and icy wind.

Furthermore, the Turkish brothers who were our guides told us that they had met an American scuba-diver who was sent down to see if there were any traces of the naval-base. He told them that he went down 100 metres and there was no trace of the naval base. The Unchallenged Quran declares, 'So do you see any remains of them?' (Surah al-Haaqqah;Ver.8), 'Do then those who devise evil plots feel secure that Allah will not sink them into the earth, or that the punishment will not seize them from directions they perceive not?' (Surah an-Nahl Ver.45)


Maskh-Transformation
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On the diver's return toward the surface, he noticed at about 62 metres the remains of the casino. What he saw there shocked him. He saw a person in a frozen position with arms wrapped around a tree trunk while holding a bottle of liquor in his hand. He was wide-eyed in terror and his face was transformed into that of a pig! Another person holding cards in his hand had the same wide-eyed expression, but his face had been transformed into that of a monkey! The diver said he will never again go down there.

This may sound like a fairy-tale sucked out of wild imagination. But consider this, Allah Ta'ala says, " ... Those who incurred the curse of Allah and His Wrath those of whom He transformed into monkeys and pigs, those who worshipped false dieties" (Sur.Al-Maidah:Ver.60) Furthermore, Hadrat Anas (r.a.) reports that Rasoolullah (s.a.w.) said: 'A group of people from my followers will be transformed during the latter period (end-time) into monkeys and pigs.'

They (the Sahabah r.a.) said: 'O Prophet of Allah, even though they will bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah and that there is none worthy of worship in truth except Allah?' Rasoolullah (s.a.w.) said: 'Yes, they will also perform salaah, keep fast and they will perform Hajj.'

'Then what will be the problem with them, O Prophet of Allah?' they asked. Rasoolullah (s.a.w.) replied: 'They will indulge in musical instruments, dancing girls, drums and they will drink intoxicants. They will spend the night in this condition (intoxicated) and find themselves transformed into monkeys and pigs.' (Fathul-Baari, commentary of Bukhari Shareef).

One young brother in Golcuk on meeting us said: 'We deserved this. We deserved this.' I was stunned at his forthrightness. I asked him: 'Why do you say this?' He replied; 'We lived a comfortable life. Most of us had two or three homes, two or three cars and our pastime was (fornication) zina".

In this is a lesson for those who will take heed.


The only media confirmation about the naval base was by a Washington-based intelligence magazine called Executive Intelligence Review (EIR News Services, P.O. Box 17390, Washington, D.C., 20041-0390) which comes out weekly at a cost of $10.This article was given to us on our return from Turkey and it is in the September 3 1999 issue. The article on page 26 is headed: Earthquake derails plan for Turkish move into Caucasus. An extract reads as follows: 'Parts of the coastal city of Golcuk literally sank into the Sea of Marmara, crippling Turkey's most important naval base and killing several of its most senior officers.' On page 27 an insert reads, 'Turkey quake shakes Nato strategy.'

In this is a lesson for those who will take heed.


[By: Maulana Abdullah Rafeeq] - Al-Jamiat Volume 4 No. 2

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