News

On the 8th of March, 2014, Malaysia Airlines confirmed and issued a press statement about the loss of a Boeing 777-200 aircraft from Kuala Lumpur heading to China. Concurrent with this announcement, various media around the world also covered this news regarding the lost plane carrying 239 passengers including the crew. Experts around the world too gave their insights and helped in the investigation of the loss of the aircraft. Search and rescue efforts continued to find the Malaysia Airlines aircraft. Searching efforts have been enhanced with cooperation from several countries, including Vietnam, China, Singapore, United States and Australia. However, after entering the fourth day, all parties still have not found any sign or indication of the loss of the aircraft. This event also has brought various speculations regarding the disappearance of the aircraft.

Comment

The loss of the MH 370 aircraft carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members shocked the entire world. We, the women section of Hizb ut Tahrir are sympathetic to the plight of the families involved and feel for their grief. We pray that the families can remain patient, that Allah gives strength to any of our brothers and sisters affected by this situation and that they are able to accept the scene as a Qada (destiny) from Allah. Allah (swt) says in the Holy Qur'an,

((يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ‌ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِ‌ينَ))

"O you who have believed, seek help (to Allah) through patience and (performing) prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient." [Al-Baqarah: 153]

Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200 is a sophisticated aircraft in which it is said to be able to fly long distances although it functions using only one engine. The loss of this aircraft has brought together experts from a wide range of expertise whether in terms of engineering, searching and investigation. However, the puzzle regarding the disappearance of this aircraft remains unresolved and investigations are still unable to find any clue even though it has entered the sixth day. This proves that the human mind and technology are unable to compete the power of God. Allah (swt) says in the Holy Qur'an,

((سَنُرِ‌يهِمْ آيَاتِنَا فِي الْآفَاقِ وَفِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ ۗ أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِ بِرَ‌بِّكَ أَنَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ))

"We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?" [Surah Fussilat: 53]

The above verse is a warning from God to advise us not to be too arrogant with intelligence of the human mind and sophistication of technology that has been created by man. Without the permission of Allah swt, surely no human being would be able to create and produce something.

Indeed, the creation of man will never be comparable to the creation of Allah. Lack of information and clues has slowed down the search for the aircraft proving limitations of the mind and vulnerability and fragility of life. This should remind us of our dependence on Allah - that our life lies in His Hands alone and how He alone should decide the laws by which mankind should live by for He has All the knowledge in the universe and awareness. He alone is enough to decide how our lives, society and state should be organised.

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Sumayyah Amar
Member of the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir