IUMS Hails Pakistan PM’s Efforts for End to Ban on Muslim Burials in Sri Lanka
In a letter to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, IUMS President Ahmad al-Raysuni said Khan’s efforts to prevent disrespecting the bodies of Muslims who die of the coronavirus in Sri Lanka is praiseworthy.
He noted that until a few weeks ago, the bodies of Muslim victims of COVID-19 were burned despite their families’ demand that they be properly buried, al-Arab website reported.
Last month, the Colombo government lifted the ban on Muslim burial of those dying of COVID-19 after months of protests by Muslim groups and international pleas.
Mandatory cremation of all COVID-19-related deceased, regardless of their faith, was introduced in April as a safe option to prevent further spread.
It sparked an outcry among members of the country’s Muslim minority as it barred them from burying their dead according to Islamic rites.
Muslims make up nearly 10 percent of Sri Lanka’s population of 22 million, which is predominantly Buddhist.
Many say the forced cremation policy was discriminatory, and international groups, including the OIC, EU, Amnesty International and the UN had sent repeated requests to Colombo to reconsider its decision.
Most Commented 