Muslim cemeteries
THE House of Representatives’ committee on Muslim affairs has approved a bill seeking the establishment of Muslim public cemeteries various parts of the Philippines.
Approved by the House committee, chaired by Lanao del Norte Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo, is a substitute measure to House Bill (HB) Nos. 2587 and 3755.
The substitute bill calls for the establishment of a Muslim Filipino public cemetery in every city and municipality with a significant number of Muslim population.
Note that most of the time, Muslims, including those in Metropolitan Manila, are forced to transport their dead to their hometowns in Mindanao, which is very costly
Lanao del Sur Rep. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong. author of HB No. 2587, said it is very difficult for Muslim Filipinos to bury their dead due to the lack of Muslim cemeteries in the country.
“In Islamic traditions, the burial of the deceased person is a collective obligation of the Muslim community. It is important that the burial takes place as quicklyas possible after death,” he said.
It is also forbidden for the body to be desecrated and such, cremation, autopsies and delay in the burial are not allowed.
Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, author of HB No. 3755, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of preserving the sanctity of Islamic beliefs and culture in honoring the dead.
Of course, we cannot overemphasize the importance of our countrymen to respect the funeral practices of our Muslim brothers and sisters.
We urge the two-chamber Congress – the Senate and the House of Representatives – to hasten the approval of the proposed legislation as part of our efforts to unite the people.
After all, we are all Filipinos.
