A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar near Mandalay on Friday 28 March 2025, right as worshippers gathered for the sacred Jummah prayer on the last Friday of Ramadan. The timing could not have been more devastating. Numerous mosques were filled when they collapsed. Lives were lost, families shattered.
We’ve been receiving harrowing pictures and videos since the news broke – images I wish I never had to see.
The photo shown above, sent by a relative, shows the Chinese Muslim (Panthay) Mosque in Mandalay, where I used to pray growing up. I recognised the courtyard. Now, cracked walls and fallen bricks mark the place where people once gathered. Other footage showed a minaret crashing to the ground, dust rising as people screamed.
Another clip showed worshippers mid-prayer as tremors rocked the masjid around them. Later, rescuers were seen pulling people out from the rubble.
The earthquake was massive – felt across thousands of kilometres, including in parts of Thailand.
In Mandalay alone, many buildings, roads, bridges, and historic structures have been destroyed or significantly damaged. People are sleing on the streets during nights, fearing more aftershocks.
One of my relatives described the city as “looking like a war zone.” Details are still emerging, as communication has been difficult.
Sadly, this disaster strikes a nation already in deep crisis.
Since the military coup in 2021, Myanmar has been locked in a civil war. The economy has collapsed. Basic infrastructure is in ruins. Healthcare and education systems are barely functioning. People were already struggling to survive. Now, this quake adds another unbearable layer of hardship.
And yet, the people remain dignified. Neighbours are helping neighbours. Volunteers are working through the night. But the scale of destruction is too great for them to carry alone.
We are calling on our Muslim community here in Australia to pray for the people of Myanmar, and for our brothers and sisters in Islam. And if you’re able, to help. The NSW Burmese Muslims Association in Sydney is organising an urgent fundraising campaign.
For more details, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/nswbma
To get involved or for further information, contact: thenswbma@gmail.com
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