ACJU expresses its disappointment over revising the method of disposal of COVID-19 bodies

All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), along with Muslim Community, expressed  its disappointment to 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 31.03.2020, 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 states; people who died from COVID 19 can be buried and many countries too have currently provisioned the option of burial along with cremation, a statement from the religious body said.

Due to the prevailing compelling situation (Darurah), it shall not be regarded as sinful upon the Muslims, if a Janaza is forcefully cremated. “We urge 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,”

The ACJU also iterated that these are extraordinary times which has engulfed the world and the citizens of our beautiful island while noting that 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 endeavor and advocated for immediate compliance of all regulations,”

However, ACJU said it will make all endeavors to make representations to the authorities, in line with the World Health Organization guideline titled “Infection Prevention and Control for the safe management of a dead body in the context of COVID-19” dated March 24, 2020.

The said guideline has provisions for the “Cremation and Burial” of those who die as a result of the infection.  It is known that many other Nations have 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 requests that are in line with the WHO guidelines. “We call upon the Muslim community of Sri Lanka to ensure compliance to the regulations and iterate to the community to ensure that any symptoms of infection must be reported to the Health Authorities immediately,"

"The Holy Quran and the Hadith obligates the Muslims to act toward the Greater Good of the community they live in and enjoins 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 statement said.