ACJU calls on Govt. to reconsider cremation stance on COVID-19 deaths

• Says WHO guidelines clearly state people who die from COVID-19 can be cremated or buried
• Urges Muslim community to exercise patience during this testing period for country
• Calls on them to ensure compliance with regulations, ensure that any symptoms of infection are reported to health authorities immediately

The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) yesterday expressed disappointment that the amended ‘Provisional Clinical Practice Guidelines on COVID-19 Suspected and Confirmed Patients’ only included cremation as the method for disposal of bodies of those who die of the disease and called on the  relevant authorities to reconsider this stance.

“The ACJU, along with Muslim community, express our disappointment on the amendment made by the authorities in the ‘Provisional Clinical Practice Guidelines on COVID-19 Suspected and Confirmed Patients’ in the revised version issued on 31 March, that all bodies of those who die as a result of being infected by COVID-19 are to be cremated, even though WHO guidelines clearly state people who died from COVID-19 can be buried and many countries too have currently provisioned the option of burial along with cremation. Due to the prevailing compelling situation (darurah), it shall not be regarded as sinful upon the Muslims, if a janaza is forcefully cremated,” the ACJU said in a statement.

The organisation urged the Muslim community to exercise patience during this testing period and to pray for the janaza to be rewarded and compensated in the best manner.

“We reiterate that these are extraordinary times which have engulfed the world and the citizens of our beautiful island. The Government of Sri Lanka is taking every possible measure to prevent the spread of the deadly pandemic and it is our bounden duty to support all of these efforts uniting as one, with our fellow brethren. We wish to iterate that the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) has at all times supported the Government in this endeavour and advocated for immediate compliance of all regulations. However, we wish to note that we will make all endeavours to make representations to the authorities, in line with the WHO guidelines titled ‘Infection Prevention and Control for the Safe Management of a Dead Body in the Context of COVID-19’ dated 24 March,” the statement said.

The ACJU said WHO guidelines had provisions for the ‘cremation and burial’ of those who died as a result of the infection and it was known that many other nations had exercised this provision, due to the sensitive nature of the matter and to respect the cultural values of the other ethnicities.

“Thereby we kindly request the relevant authorities to reconsider this stance and to facilitate our request that is in line with the WHO guidelines,” the ACJU said.

It also called upon the Muslim community of Sri Lanka to ensure compliance with the regulations and reiterated to the community to report any symptoms of infection to the health authorities immediately.

“The Holy Quran and the Hadith obligate Muslims to act toward the greater good of the community they live in and enjoin all Muslims to ensure public welfare (maslaha) in all their actions. In these times of strife, we call on all communities to support each other and to be sensitive to human sensibilities which we all our possessed of. These are extraordinary times and we continue to pray to the Almighty to shower His mercy, compassion and blessings on our motherland and to guide all of us in our fight against this pandemic,” the ACJU said.