A powerful earthquake struck Sagaing, Myanmar, last Friday, collapsing three mosques and killing hundreds of worshippers gathered for Friday prayers during Ramadan. The Myoma Mosque, the largest in the city, was among those destroyed, leaving an estimated 500 Muslims dead. Survivors recount harrowing attempts to escape, with bodies found outside prayer halls and clutching each other in desperation.
Former Myoma Imam Soe Nay Oo, now in Thailand, mourns the loss of nearly 170 friends and relatives, including respected community leaders. The tragedy is worsened by ongoing conflict, which has forced burials to take place in Mandalay instead of Sagaing. The community, struggling with grief and displacement, continues rescue efforts amid the devastation.
