28 March, 2024

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Issue Of ‘Corona’ Cremations: Mr President, Please Respect The Wishes Of Muslims!

By Haaris Mahmud –

Haaris Mahmud

Since the beginning of time, humans have grappled with the reality and mystery of our mortality. To the scientific world, death may be purely biological and anatomical—the ceasing of brain functions, stopping of the heart etc. But, to the organised, scripture-based religions and the oral faith systems, death is a phenomenon with philosophical, theological and spiritual dimensions. From the ancient Egyptians who built the pyramids to our modern religious traditions, every culture develops rituals that help mourners find solace, connection, and meaning. These ceremonies help us cope with loss.

Scientists can’t yet say for sure what the fatality rate of the coronavirus is, because they’re not certain how many people have become infected with the disease. But they do have some estimates, and there is a widespread consensus that COVID-19 is most dangerous for many specially the elderly patients and those with pre-existing health burdens, although not limited to these groups. Deaths due to Coronavirus pandemic is increasing at an alarming rate.  

COVID-19 has been a test for our societies, and we are all learning and adapting as we respond to the virus. We understand the need for a range of steps to combat COVID-19. Unfortunately, in the guise of fighting this deadly virus, human dignity and rights have been taking a bashing as well. Our efforts to combat this virus won’t work unless we approach it holistically, which means taking great care to protect the most vulnerable and neglected people in society, both medically and economically. With the fatality rates on a rapid increase, the governments have been thinking about the critical issue of disposing the bodies rapidly and carefully to avoid spreading of infection. Part of the plan has been to cremate the bodies of those who fell victim to this deadly virus. Sri Lanka has also devised plans to cremate bodies so affected as well.

It is a matter of regret that this plan to resort to cremation of bodies have been taken without due cognizance of and due consultation with the religious communities adversely affected by this ruling. Particularly, this affects the religious susceptibilities of the Muslims and the Jews. In the case of Sri Lanka, this largely affects and cause concern to the Muslim community which constitute 10% of the population. The basis of objection is religious and does not in any way reflect negatively on the preparedness of the Muslims to cooperate with the authorities by putting a cog in the wheel in the process of controlling the pandemic. In fact, the Muslims have been cooperating with the government authorities fully. They even closed mosques, suspended Jumma weekly prayers and even the daily congregational prayers too. But, the subject of cremation is a very sensitive issue which cannot be considered as one which can be compromised or ignored as a first resort. 

For those of the Muslim faith, cremation is forbidden. Funeral rites for followers of Islam are prescribed by divine law, and they must bury their dead as quickly as possible – preferably within a day of death. The body should be treated with equal respect in both life and death. Burning the dead is considered a form of mutilation, forbidden by Allah. The sanctity of the dead body and the importance of religious burial is therefore an integral component of religious practice for Muslims, as well as Jews as well. Hence cremation is forbidden in Islam and Judaism. It is therefore insensitive for a government to impose a cremation upon the loved ones of these communities, thus adding further anguish and trauma to bereaved families, who themselves may be in self-isolation at the time of cremation. The body of a dead Muslim is as sacred as the body of a living Muslim. Handling should be gentle and respectful. To them, once the soul has gone and the body is dead, they still feel pained if it is not treated properly.

International human rights law, notably the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Sri Lanka has signed and ratified, requires that restrictions on human rights in the name of public health or a public emergency meet requirements of legality, evidence-based necessity, and proportionality. Restrictions must, at a minimum, be provided for and carried out in accordance with the law. They must be strictly necessary to achieve a legitimate objective, the least intrusive and restrictive available to reach the objective, based on scientific evidence, neither arbitrary nor discriminatory in application, of limited duration, respectful of human dignity, and subject to review. 

The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) should therefore respect the wishes of religious minorities in line with international and constitutional obligations that protects freedom of thought, belief and religion, and amend the proposed ruling to ensure no Muslim family is forced to undergo the trauma of seeing their loved one cremated. GoSL should initiate discussions with the ACJU and other civil Muslim bodies to arrive at an acceptable consensus. 

There is a point of view emerging in Sri Lanka promoted by some hate groups, especially after the Easter Sunday that Muslims seems to enjoy special privileges in Sri Lanka, not afforded by the other communities. This is a warped view to say the least.  It is a right of any community to defend their cultural identity and rights; so are the Muslims. Religious, intellectual, and cultural diversity and differences are universal facts that must be accepted by all. By doing so, we reflect a high level of awareness and respect for everyone’s rights and freedoms. Religious beliefs, which are the source of moral and ethical fundamentals in society, must be duly respected through mutual tolerance. For tolerance to work and to bring about coexistence in society, there needs to be a mutual effort by all parties/stakeholders.

The right to culture – and the right to take part in culture – was, at first, purely an individual right, as provided by Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). However, the right to take part in culture has been expanded through a wider interpretation of Article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which affirms the right to culture for members of minorities and indigenous peoples. Article 27 specifically stipulates that persons belonging to ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities ‘shall not be denied the right, in community with other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture’. Although the language is quite generic, it is now accepted that positive protection is required to realize the provisions of Article 27. 

The rights of persons belonging to minorities and indigenous peoples to enjoy their own culture are thus permanent. Importantly, their realization may need special measures. Such special measures are well recognized in international law as not being discriminatory, and are mandatory, rather than discretionary as some states have indicated. Therefore, state policies that simply provide for non-interference in the right to culture of minorities and indigenous peoples do not fulfil the current obligations of states under the prevailing interpretation of contemporary international law. Prohibition of or disrespect towards ‘religion or belief systems, rites and ceremonies’ violates both the right to culture and the freedom of religion. One has to bear in mind that religious/cultural expressions of members of minorities and indigenous peoples require additional protection, as the former are inherently vulnerable because of their non-dominance in the society.

The European Court of HR has noted: ‘an emerging international consensus … recognising the special needs of minorities and an obligation to protect their security, identity and lifestyle … not only for the purpose of safeguarding the interests of the minorities themselves but to preserve a cultural diversity of value to the whole community’ (Chapman v. The United Kingdom) 

Appeal To The HE The President 

The Muslim community therefore crave the indulgence of HE The President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that due regard is paid to the susceptibilities of the community by accordingly amending the proposed ruling to cremate all bodies of Corona victims, to accommodate the  wishes of the Muslim bereaved families. UK can be cited as an example. 

A similar controversy arose in the UK as well when the UK also planned to introduce the Coronavirus Bill 2019-21 and the Muslim organizations and other faith groups raised concerns about the piece of legislation. As it was written, the bill would have allowed designated local authorities to cremate bodies against the wishes of the deceased. Upon an amendment proposed by a British MP Naz Shah, the government agreed for same, with the House supporting her in achieving such amendment, which now clarifies that 

both national and local authorities “must have regard to the desirability of disposing of a dead person’s body or other remains – in accordance with the person’s wishes, if known, or otherwise in a way that appears consistent with the person’s religion or beliefs, if known.”

Although it is not the ideal , the amendment provisions at least reflected the readiness of the authorities to respect  and consider the religious beliefs when dealing with the crisis. Of course, if a local authority is overwhelmed and is of the considered view that suitable arrangements are not available that do not compromise public health, then cremations may still go ahead. To avoid this situation arising, there is definitely a responsibility cast on the Muslim community to ensure that authorities are not in a position where they believe that no other suitable arrangements are available without compromising public health. This same approach can be adopted in Sri Lanka as well. 

We hope the saner counsel will prevail and the government take quick action without providing those hate peddlers another opportunity to use this issue to provoke further hatred against the Muslim community which has already been put through difficult times of demonization particularly in the Post –Easter Sunday period. 

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Latest comments

  • 31
    9

    Is there any national or other issue from which Muslims don’t drmand exemption?
    /
    This really selfish, anti-national attitude will destroy the nation if not dealt with quickly.
    /
    Muslims can’t expect themselves to be above everyone else, bloody hell!
    /
    COVID 19 will kill whether its coming from the dead body of an infidel or a ‘sacred’ Muslim beef-eater.
    /
    Learn to respect society or get the hell out.

    • 17
      5

      Harris Mahmoud,

      In ordinary times, people can practice their ordinary cultural and religions practices.

      In extraordinary times, people need to follow extraordinary measures to save themselves. That is why there is social and personal distancing, no handshakes, kisses, hugs and disruptions to the economy.

      If a corona virus victim is buried, will the virus stay dormant and appear at some later time?

      If the dead coronavirus victim is washed and buried in the normal way, won’t those personnel be infected? Based on religious belief, when a person dies, the soul leaves the body, and technically, it may be acceptable to cremate the virus infected body and avoid spreading the virus to those who are living.
      This is about saving the living.

      Whether buried or cremated, in the end body is dispersed in the universe, which we all are part of.

      Looks like the COVID-19 is very egalitarian. Makes no distinction between religions, races and ages. The first line of Defense is your immune system, that developed over millions of years of evolution.

      This is the perpetual war between RNA and DNA. RNA is trying hijack DNA, and the immune system is trying to repel and destroy the invading RNA.

    • 10
      9

      “Burning of dead body is considered a form of mutilation by Allah”. But circumcision is not considered a form of mutilation by Allah. What a hypocrisy.

      • 8
        5

        Lanka Perera, Imagine bubbling of brain, the stench of burning hair and flesh, and the bone fragments left stuck in the oven at last? Above all, the amount of pollutants released during the cremation process? The cremation is an artificial process, but with burying bodies decompose also but it is a biological process.

        • 2
          1

          The problem is the virus not stench or body parts

          • 2
            2

            Sach,

            God forbid, what if the death toll is way above the numbers that SL cremation ovens or cremation furnace can handle. Then, obviously no option but to dig a mass grave? Here, the virus reaction should be very powerful since too many dead bodies being buried?

            • 2
              0

              ”what if the death toll is way above the numbers that SL cremation ovens or cremation furnace can handle”. By this logic, if we continue to bury more space will be taken and we can run out of space. Also consider that years later if that same spot is dug up, the virus has the potential to spread again. Muslims arent the only group who cant perform their religious rites at the moment, others also face the same. This is selfish. The health of the country is put at risk and you dont seem to care that sometimes rules have to be bent for the benefit of the majority.

        • 1
          0

          Fathima , its seems to be you know little bit of science (burying bodies decompose also but it is a biological process) you guys only taking science principles when it is effect to your religion, whatever everyone know about this, this is pandemic and highly infectious , thats why medical authorities said it must be cremated. why you only worry about cremation ? according to your religion death body must be wash with soap water , then clean water , dressup , pray etc , can you do above for highly infectious covid19 death ? cannot right ? then what the hell are you talking about cremation only . I know you guys definitely believe covid 19 also creation of ALLA , oneday scientist will find out vaccine , then pray for scientist and science also because they are above the alla .

      • 4
        1

        How about genital mutilation, has Allah approved that or is it an exception because it is women. Cutting hands, removing neck by sword are not any kind of mutilation.
        Muslims are becoming a nuisance to the non-believers at the expense of their cultic religion. But, I know there are peaceful, but not hypocryte muslims too.

    • 0
      0

      Not an exemption. Not a requirement. So why ignore WHO guideline and create divisions.

      https://www.who.int/diseasecontrol_emergencies/risks_after_disasters_20100122_en.pdf?ua=1

    • 1
      0

      If WHO has implemented faith based legislation burials for Christians Muslims and Jews,why all this fuss . Politicians and racists try to capitalise even on dead bodies . These buggers will only learn when their loved ones contract these virus and go through quarantine and isolation. Then it will be too late to say bloody hell.
      You may be sacred vege-man drinking cow urine, please respect the victims and their loved ones to pay the last respect.

  • 28
    5

    Let’s be be positive, why the Difference? This is a NATIONAL issue common to ALL races and religions. It is YOU MUSLIMS who wants to be different from the others from your attire to your food and marriage – and then yell DISCRIMINATION.

    • 0
      1

      “Let’s be be positive, why the Difference? This is a NATIONAL issue common to ALL races and religions”

      So it has to be a global pandemic for you guys to feel a national issue? When you guys discriminate, attack, loot Tamils, Muslims or Christians; that’s also a national issue with a difference, instead of a virus, you guys create those.

  • 2
    17

    The President is having only sinhala Bhudhist nationalist view and promoting the same as a only tool for political survival. He is not entertaining his own party politicians and wimal and Gammanpila are the two wholes where President passes through his dirts.

    Also president does have neither charisma nor skill or at least ordinarily thinkable people around him. More than that the President and his brother MR Having non-alignment and others believe the Basil only can mediate between them.

    Sinhala bhudhist nationalist agenda on one side and internal family dispute within Rajapaksa family create a high tension in the country.

    With all this it’s hard to predict what this family government will do and it’s similarly like managing mad dog or mad elephants.

    • 1
      0

      Stupid Idiot SAMPATH. What is your reasoning, Just bad blood.

  • 7
    7

    I can rememberI read in fb The prime Minister had okayed yo let the Muslim corpse buried if anyone dies of covid 19

  • 19
    1

    It is not ACJU or H.Mahmud who should take any decision on this. but , it is medical experts who decide on this. It is not president or any minister who should decide it .. but only medical experts who should decide it… God save Sri Lanka from this .. if things go out of control, medical experts and doctors could decide either to bury bodies or burn it .. in this exceptional dangerous situation , there is no harm to cremate Muslim bodies…this is not against Islamic law at all..
    there are 4 duties for a Muslim dead body to be performed..
    1) To wash the body..
    2) to cover the body with cloth,
    3) to pray for it
    4) to bury the body…
    if doctors say it would be dangerous to handle the bodies, for fear of spread of virus to all around them, it would not be a problem to burn them … Islamic law protects human lives… if dead bodies will endangers living humanity around them … Islamic law has got special licence to let the bodies to be burned… yet, these ACJU. and some traditional people do not follow the advice of Doctors.
    Do not make politics out of it..
    this is not religious problem but a medical problem..

    • 3
      2

      Quran clearly says ‘Whosoever kills a person … it shall be as if he has killed all mankind’
      Muslim community never condoned any such violence. If it is Islamic to kill people as you say, then what would happen if every Muslim follows that?did they? No. ISIS are creations of the west and not any Islamic than criminal Wirathu to Buddhism.

      In this case, what Muslims say is to follow WHO guidelines which allows for burials under strict conditions and cremations. Full stop. There is no medical evidence for ruling on cremation

      If they say only cremation is possible, then there is no argument.

    • 6
      2

      Yes agree
      In this case, what Muslims say is to follow WHO guidelines which allows for burials under strict conditions and cremations. Full stop. There is no medical evidence for ruling on cremation

      If they say only cremation is possible, then there is no argument.

    • 0
      1

      Most of the points are right but last one is incorrect ACJU always cooperate with top doctors and educated people on such cases.

  • 14
    5

    ” Burning a dead body is considered a form of mutilation by Allah”
    However mutilating / beheadings in the name of Allah, of those alive seems to to be quite ok, if they are non muslims!
    Oh what hypocracy. Anyone, repeat anyone who does of a very contagious illness Must be cremated asap, peroid. To hell with so called customs.

    • 2
      0

      Quran clearly says ‘Whosoever kills a person … it shall be as if he has killed all mankind’
      Muslim community never condoned any such violence. If it is Islamic to kill people as you say, then what would happen if every Muslim follows that?did they? No. ISIS are creations of the west and not any Islamic than criminal Wirathu to Buddhism.

      In this case, what Muslims say is to follow WHO guidelines which allows for burials under strict conditions and cremations. Full stop. There is no medical evidence for ruling on cremation

      If they say only cremation is possible, then there is no argument.

    • 9
      1

      Cutting hands, legs, necks is not mutilating bodies. Some one must have written on behalf of allah.

  • 7
    0

    Public health trumps religious sensibilities. Sorry, but that’s how it goes.

  • 5
    0

    Harris Mahmud
    “There is a point of view emerging in Sri Lanka promoted by some hate groups, especially after the Easter Sunday that Muslims seems to enjoy special privileges in Sri Lanka, not afforded by the other communities. This is a warped view to say the least.”
    What is warped is to deny, Muslims enjoy special privileges. Further, the privileges are totally disproportionate to the 10% they account for in national demographics. MMDA including bigamy and marriage of girls below of 18 years is all about special privileges. Cremation of the COVID-19 dead, if decreed, must be implemented among all communities, even if it has to rammed down the throats of those objecting on religious and cultural grounds. Let it be a prelude to abolition of Kandyan law, Thesavalami and MMDA. Let it be, one common law for all.

    • 0
      0

      The Government of Sri Lanka has already twisted, bant and contorted the law to suit the fancy and garner the Muslim votes – THIS HAS TO STOP NOW, follow the WHO regulations CREMATE the bodies of those who die of COVID19 and don’t bend the law for the benefit of just one community…

  • 2
    0

    ONE
    The question of ‘cremation’ is not addressed directly in the Holy Quran or in any of the Hadeeth texts. Scholars have by using a judicious mix of Prophetic sayings arrived at the conclusion that ‘cremation’ is haram for Muslims under any and all circumstances.
    If it was deemed to be Haram under all circumstances by the Almighty (swt) and the Holy Prophet (sal), would it not have earned a mention in the Quran and/or the Hadith where even the ban on the consumption of pork and alcoholic beverages has been mentioned ?
    The issue appears to have resulted by the extension of a prohibited practice under ‘normal circumstances’ to include ‘any and all circumstances’.
    The situation demands that instead of using taqlid (blind obedience), the local Muslims engage in some critical thinking to resolve this issue. Our actions should not be perceived or interpreted as being against the best interests of our motherland, especially at a time of national crisis. In these extremely sensitive times, the urging of the Holy Prophet (sal) that we use Consultation (shura) and Consensus (ijma) to resolve our problems has much relevance and must be heeded.

  • 3
    0

    TWO
    Burial-at-sea- is forbidden for Muslims. But if a Muslim dies at sea and if it is going to take a long time to bring the body home, wouldn’t the Muslims follow the instructions of the Prophet (sal) to “Hasten the burial” (Bukhari 1315) and do the needful while still at sea ?
    And what about all those Muslims who may have been killed and burned (cremated) by their enemies during war over the past 1400 years ? Will they be treated as ‘non-Muslims’ by the Almighty (swt) ?
    The more progressive Islamic Scholars have deemed that while cremation is forbidden for Muslims under normal conditions, the only exception is if the person died due to a contagious disease (which is not ‘normal’). Simple logic dictates that there must be exceptions such as in the case of burial-at-sea.
    And what about the performance of ghusl on the corpse (bathing) without which burial is considered haram ? Are the local Muslims also insisting that they be permitted by the authorities to bathe the Covid 19 infected corpse in accordance with Islamic rituals ?
    Are Muslim Sri Lankans able to distinguish between ‘normal circumstances’ and ‘all circumstances’ ?
    “I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.” – Galileo Galilei

    • 3
      0

      “Burial at sea is forbidden for Muslims”. Then why Americans dropped the body of Osama Bin Laden tied to heavy rocks into the sea from a helicopter.

      • 1
        0

        Lanka Perera,

        They should have cremated Osama bin Laden. After all he cremated a lot of the his victims.

  • 8
    1

    As the author of this article said, Muslims believe that a dead body can feel pain which is why they object to cremation. The primitive Muslims do not even realise what pain is. Pain is simply a signal sent from nerves to the brain. If a person is dead, their brain is dead and their nerves aren’t functioning. So it’s impossible for dead people to feel pain. A Muslim once told me, “Yes, but the soul still feels pain even though the brain is dead.” I replied, “When you get a tooth extracted and the dentist gives you anesthesia, the anesthesia targets your nerves, not your soul. So why is it that your soul doesn’t still feel the pain of the dental procedure?” Of course, the religious idiot had no response to that.

    Muslims want special treatment to be allowed to follow their harmful rituals, but in many Muslim countries, the Muslim governments don’t give non-Muslims even the most basic human rights. Muslims have no problem with that. It is a huge double standard that Muslims have. In Saudi Arabia, if two unmarried adults have mutually consenting sex with each other, they will be whipped 100 times even if they are non-Muslim. I talked to many Lankan Muslims about this and they said, “Well, those non-Muslims should have known to follow the rules. They broke the law, so they deserve to be whipped 100 times.” I would say, well in that case, a Buddhist country has the right to impose Buddhist laws on Muslims, and if the Muslim breaks the law, he should be punished. Luckily, Buddhists are more humane and never practise cruel punishments like whippings, stonings, and amputation

    • 3
      1

      Mohamed the Atheist,

      How do you know that there is a soul? Do you have any conclusive evidence?

      If there is a soul, ( assume that)? and the soul had already left the body, the soul should not feel the pain.

      COVID19 does not care, if there is a soul or not. All it cares is a living cell to latch onto, so that it can keep reproducing.

      The living must be protected from the virus.

      • 3
        1

        Sir Amarasiri,

        I have always considered you to be one of the most intelligent people who comment on this forum. Do you actually believe that I as an atheist believe in the nonsensical concept of a soul? Of course, there’s no such thing as a soul. It was just invented to sell people the idea of the imaginary afterlife, which was created simply to control people and take their money.

        • 2
          1

          Mohamed the Atheist,

          If there is no soul, how do you explain people inheriting various traits from past generations? For example, the musician Mozart was a child prodigy because he came from a family of musicians. Similarly, many Brahmins (we see them in Silicon Valley, such as the Google CEO) have a natural affinity for mathematical and scientific subjects.

          • 0
            0

            Lester ,

            Good question.

            It is genetics, it is in the genetic code, in the DNA sequences.

            When a virus invades the cell, it uses the cell metabolism and machinery, but uses the vital RNA genetic code.

            Does the RNA have a soul? DNA?

            “For example, the musician Mozart was a child prodigy because he came from a family of musicians.”

            It is genetics, not souls. It is like a software program, instructions to make things.

            This is evolution, not soul evolution. Soul is a human construct. RNA and DNA are evolutionary biological constructs, that defines the outcome of the organism.

  • 4
    2

    Sri Lanka is a tiny island, over crowded with 4 million and growing Muslims. Now in the Eastern province, Muslims are encroaching Buddhist archeological sites for their burials. When there is no plot of land for living people, why would anyone with a right mind waste the land for dead extremists??? Enough with the stupidity.
    /
    The reason why Muslims bury the dead within 24 hours is because there are no firewood in the desert, and the dead body can’t be kept for hours under the hot sun.

  • 5
    0

    Italy being a state with a strong Catholic population has begun cremating out of necessity. Today Beruwala and Horowpothana Mosques have congregated with over 80 people at the minimum violating curfew. On one hand health crisis is increased and on The other hand rights are demanded. Public safety outweighs religious beliefs.

    • 1
      1

      Cynicalass,

      Stupidity is a virtue, brainwashed into the faithful. Lower the IQ a grater chance if brainwashing.

      With a mean measured IQ of 79, there are a lot opportunities in the populace .

  • 2
    1

    The whole world is in crisis mode, with the Corona Virus.Medical opinion should supersede Religious beliefs. Asking for concessions at the expense of others is anti national behaviour!

  • 4
    1

    Muslims must respect the need and safety of their fellow citizens and also the world at this time and stop demanding undue and dangerous privileges. The president or any other politician cannot change how the virus behaves or the danger in burying patients lost to the Coronavirus. It is the medical experts who have advised this. Besides Muslims and Jewish people, the Christians too require their dead to be buried. But even UK which is basically a Christian country, has imposed a mandatory cremation law for the coronavirus deaths. Try to understand the gravity of the situation. BTW doesn’t your Quran say anything about doing what is good for others too?

  • 0
    0

    My wish was to be buried but now they could burn me and bury my ashes in our family grave if possible.That is when I die.

  • 0
    0

    This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.

    For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

  • 0
    0

    https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/covid-19uks-faith-groups-react-to-mandatory-cremation/1776042

    UK is one of the developed highly educated country with lots of top medical professional ,if they do why cant we ?

    As World Health Organization Statement ,”To date there is no evidence of persons having
    become infected from exposure to the bodies of persons who died from COVID-19; “

    “The dignity of the dead, their cultural and religious traditions, and their families should be respected and protected throughout; “

    Burial
    People who have died from COVID-19 can be buried or
    cremated.
     Confirm national and local requirements that may
    dictate the handling and disposition of the remains.
     Family and friends may view the body after it has
    been prepared for burial, in accordance with customs.
    They should not touch or kiss the body and should
    wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after the
    viewing;
     Those tasked with placing the body in the grave, on
    the funeral pyre, etc., should wear gloves and wash
    hands with soap and water after removal of the
    gloves once the burial is complete.

    https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/331538/WHO-COVID-19-lPC_DBMgmt-2020.1-eng.pdf

    • 2
      0

      You are comparing a country which has more than 29000 Covid19 cases and 2,352 death with Sri Lanka. We are far more better than any other countries and the problem is not the medical advancement. The actual issue is the negligence and the immaturity of certain people. Prevention is better than cure..Request your community to stay at home, so no one get cremated or buried!!

  • 5
    0

    The GOD is still not with anyone for virus prevention. Don’t be foolish to talking nonsense. All the people on the earth now understand the GOD is just a myth.

    • 0
      0

      I now understand that we can not eliminate traditions totally from people , just because it does not fit in with our beliefs or our rationale.

      Tradtions of people are very sensitive fabric and should be treated with utmost respect and considerstion .
      It’s a matter of the heart and not the brain.

  • 0
    0

    If other countries can adjust and amend Emergency Bills why not Sri Lanka without creating divisions while following WHO guidelines.

    https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/coronavirus-uk-amends-emergency-bill-muslims-jews-other-faiths-mandatory-cremations

  • 0
    0

    Not an exception. When not a requirement,why make divisions..
    https://www.who.int/diseasecontrol_emergencies/guidelines/risks/en/

  • 0
    0

    Extending my appreciation to HE.The President of Sri Lanka , The ACJU , very special thanks to PC Mr.Ali Sabry and all others who responded and enlightened the sensitiveness with regard to the cremation of Muslim Corvid 19 Janazas , including other Muslim MPs. for resolving the sensitive issue peacefully at a time our Country is in great turmoil.

  • 0
    0

    The Golden Age of Islam declined not due to any particular Scholar or Ruler , but due to the actions of one ruler ,whose enthusiasm for intellectual thought overwhelmed him, to an extend that he used compulsion to implement it on all Scholars, people and it then was afopted among changes in all future Islamic thoughts ,which used compulsion that totally eliminated all the achievements of the golden ages of Islam.

    Everytime Muslim leaders used compulsion to implement different religous thoughts to people , it always cost the loss of lives , great civilizations , Valuable heritage and the final result today is , it has created the modern Khajirites ( “Muslim “Terororism) of today’s fitna( unrest & rebellion against legal governments ) The Quran is very strict and clear about compulsion in religion .
    Let there be no compulsion in religion.
    Likewise let there be no compulsion in anything when dealing with human emotions and beliefs , but use consultation in a peaceful and civilized manner to resolve all issues, always putting Country first and at the same time with total consideration of the emotions of all People .
    There is no other way to save and build a nation.

  • 1
    0

    If cremation is forbidden in Islam, please stay at home. Your fellows roam around the country when there is a tragedy and now has become a pain for the entire society. Muslim Community are requested to temporarily stop Jummah prayers & congregational prayers, but still we see some are purposely breaking the rules. Stay at home to avoid being cremated.

  • 0
    0

    https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.naturalburials.co.nz/uncategorized/why-cremations-are-bad/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjdlLKg9MjoAhUBH7cAHRbbBcgQFjAJegQICRAB&usg=AOvVaw1dE1gCrNdRjxj6DZqBSRyN
    ====================
    Cremation has contributed a lot to the increase in pollution and on the other hand with the current world ecnomic situation it is a criminal waste of foreign reserves of a Country like Sri Lanka currently struggling with an unbearable external debt .
    Can one imagine the high cost in fuel to creamate ? Can Sri Lanka afford this Luxary ? And also become contributors of pollution and global warming ?
    The burial takes a natural safe process of the body decomposing very fast leaving only the skeleton.
    But I agree we can not do the ritual washing and the body can not be brought home and must be sealed in a coffin with a wood that perishes fast .
    Please do not popoliticalise nor abuse the dead with racism and bigotry.
    May God unite us to overcome this menace .
    May peace and unity prevail

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    Peace

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    This request by the Ulamas is a religious one, because it is part of their funeral rites. If the authorities are going to accept that, then technically they have to accept any such a request is made by a non-Muslim as well. Also, people are opposed to burying due to reasonable suspicion that the virus may contaminate ground water although this has not been proven. Instead of creating an unnecessary pandemonium, the best is to cremate irrespective of religion. How do they perform so called rites when a body goes missing in a tsunami, earthquake? What about a Muslim who becomes a victim of a wildfire? Do you claimed the same rights for those suicide bombers? Are they not Muslims? Are you also going to ask the hospital staffs to wash the body before burial? You may say ‘No, that’s not necessary, but the burial is’. Just be sensible. These are baseless claims and even a child can understand. This is an emergency situation and desperate times require desperate measures.

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