ABSTRACT
Catastrophes such as natural disasters, conflicts, and epidemics bring difficulties and misfortunes, but people also retain hope. The recent coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has tested people on what they feel and are reliant on, particularly their beliefs. It is intriguing to examine the perspectives of a community with strong religious beliefs during this pandemic. In this article, we explore the religious perspectives of Sharia-based communities in Aceh Province, Indonesia, on the origin and meaning of the pandemic, which might affect their belief systems. We limited our critical assessment to philosophical theodicies and the shift in rationalizing the outbreak. Our study revealed how the virus triggered people to integrate logic with spiritual thoughts. Data were retrieved from twenty informants with various backgrounds to sample a cross-section of perspectives. During the difficult days of the epidemic, people pondered ‘who' and ‘why', which led them to think about theodicy, which we used as the basis for our research. By utilizing a narrative inquiry, three premises were classified: COVID-19 is God's doing, COVID-19 is not an intervention of God, and COVID-19 is still controlled by God, not other factors. The first premise turned out to be the dominant one, being based on the locals' strong belief in the omnipotence of God. This reveals a widespread understanding of the origin of the pandemic that can be compared with other systems of meaning in different religions. © 2023 Ulster Institute for Social Research. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Ie Bu Peudah is a special meal of Acehnese, Indonesia society in every month of Ramadhan consisting of 44 kinds of mixed substances. All mixed ingredients are pounded or mashed using a special mortal done together and collectively. This study aimed to explore more deeply the origin of the making Ie Bu Peudah, its usefulness, social functions, and knowledge transfer amongst community. This descriptive analysis study employed observation, interview, questionnaire, and documentation to collect the data. The obtained data were analyzed by reducing, displaying, and concluding stages. The findings showed that the history of Ie Bu Peudah was carried by Indian traders that visited Aceh then the meal was recreated and modified by the local people in the sultanate of Aceh during 15AD and was passed down over generations until today. Its efficacy was for body immunity, including the danger of coronavirus and healing many diseases like a tumor as it contains antioxidants, antibiotics, antiseptic, etc. Besides protecting from many diseases, Ie Bu Peudah also has the social functions which were to strengthen the friendship (silaturrahmi) among traditional figures and local people, strengthening the unity, glorifying the month full of blessing, preserving the harmony between the leaders of the village and people and upholding the values of togetherness during the month of Ramadhan. © 2022, Society for Indonesian Biodiversity. All rights reserved.