I honestly cannot believe I am writing this but the mandatory cremation policy is finally being reversed so we can finally bury our loved ones in accordance with our faith. It has been such a long and draining road with so much grief but we actually saw this through to …
June 29, 2020
Final supporters
His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa,
Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,
Presidential Secretariat,
Colombo- 01.
Dear Sir,
PLEADING TO BURY THE BODIES OF COVID-19 MUSLIM VICTIMS IN SRI LANKA
The very first, we take a moment to appreciate the stringent measures taken by governmental authorities to stem the spread of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka and we thank the security forces, health workers and police for their tireless efforts. Fabulous work, indeed, our country’s control mechanism and recovery rate have been world-class and superior to some of the developed countries.
In this juncture, we would like to draw your kind attention that, as of today, sadly, Muslims in Sri Lanka are being forced to cremate the bodies of Muslims who had died or are suspected to have died of COVID-19. Despite the authorities’ justifications, you may aware that Islamic tradition requires dead bodies to be buried.
Recently, The World Health Organization has emphasized that burial is an effective and appropriate mean to deal with victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. But unfortunately, Sri Lanka insists on the cremation only. The fact is, no other country has banned burials other than my country. This situation is very unpleasant and disturbing.
The sanctity of a dead body and the importance of performing religious burial is an integral part of religious practice for Muslims, worldwide. Meaning, enforcing cremation upon the loved ones of Sri Lanka Muslim Community would cause deep shock, pain and mental trauma, more importantly to their immediate families, who themselves may be in self-isolation due to pandemic.
We are passing through a difficult time, in this juncture, as Sri Lankans, we expect the authorities should be bringing the communities together by promoting the citizens’ religious and socio-cultural values when dealing with the death of loved-ones and not deepening the divisions among them.
Thus, with mixed reaction, we would like to make a humble request to enable Sri Lankan Muslim to bid a final farewell to their loved-ones according to their religious and socio-cultural values, specifically which is guaranteed in the constitution of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and also permissible under international guidelines.
We trust you would consider and treat our request with a priority.
Stay blessed, Sincerely,
Sri Lankan Muslims Expatriates ForumUpdates
Reached 250 supporters
May 11, 2020
May 11, 2020
I really thought this might just float around the internet unnoticed but the response has been so heavy and overwhelming lately. It is honestly heart wrenching to see so many people connecting with this because nobody should have to fight for the right to lay their loved ones to rest with dignity. My mind is just racing trying to figure out the next step for getting this in the right hands but for now I just need to say thank you.
Reached 100 supporters
May 11, 2020
6 Comments
Dignity in death should be a basic right for everyone regardless of religion. Stop the forced cremations now.
Ridiculous that our country is the only one doing this. follow the WHO guidelines and have some humanity.
This is so heartbreaking for the grieving families. Please just let them bury their loved ones the right way.
LET THEM BURY THEIR OWN! So cruel to deny someone their final religious rites during such a hard time.
Totally unfair. Other countries are not doing this so why are we?? Big mistake.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
I honestly cannot believe I am writing this but the mandatory cremation policy is finally being reversed so we can finally bury our loved ones in accordance with our faith. It has been such a long and draining road with so much grief but we actually saw this through to …
June 29, 2020
Final supporters
His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa,
Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,
Presidential Secretariat,
Colombo- 01.
Dear Sir,
PLEADING TO BURY THE BODIES OF COVID-19 MUSLIM VICTIMS IN SRI LANKA
The very first, we take a moment to appreciate the stringent measures taken by governmental authorities to stem the spread of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka and we thank the security forces, health workers and police for their tireless efforts. Fabulous work, indeed, our country’s control mechanism and recovery rate have been world-class and superior to some of the developed countries.
In this juncture, we would like to draw your kind attention that, as of today, sadly, Muslims in Sri Lanka are being forced to cremate the bodies of Muslims who had died or are suspected to have died of COVID-19. Despite the authorities’ justifications, you may aware that Islamic tradition requires dead bodies to be buried.
Recently, The World Health Organization has emphasized that burial is an effective and appropriate mean to deal with victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. But unfortunately, Sri Lanka insists on the cremation only. The fact is, no other country has banned burials other than my country. This situation is very unpleasant and disturbing.
The sanctity of a dead body and the importance of performing religious burial is an integral part of religious practice for Muslims, worldwide. Meaning, enforcing cremation upon the loved ones of Sri Lanka Muslim Community would cause deep shock, pain and mental trauma, more importantly to their immediate families, who themselves may be in self-isolation due to pandemic.
We are passing through a difficult time, in this juncture, as Sri Lankans, we expect the authorities should be bringing the communities together by promoting the citizens’ religious and socio-cultural values when dealing with the death of loved-ones and not deepening the divisions among them.
Thus, with mixed reaction, we would like to make a humble request to enable Sri Lankan Muslim to bid a final farewell to their loved-ones according to their religious and socio-cultural values, specifically which is guaranteed in the constitution of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and also permissible under international guidelines.
We trust you would consider and treat our request with a priority.
Stay blessed, Sincerely,
Sri Lankan Muslims Expatriates ForumUpdates
Reached 250 supporters
May 11, 2020
May 11, 2020
I really thought this might just float around the internet unnoticed but the response has been so heavy and overwhelming lately. It is honestly heart wrenching to see so many people connecting with this because nobody should have to fight for the right to lay their loved ones to rest with dignity. My mind is just racing trying to figure out the next step for getting this in the right hands but for now I just need to say thank you.
Reached 100 supporters
May 11, 2020
6 Comments
My heart goes out to all the families who cant bury their own. This is wrong on every level.
Dignity in death should be a basic right for everyone regardless of religion. Stop the forced cremations now.
Ridiculous that our country is the only one doing this. follow the WHO guidelines and have some humanity.
This is so heartbreaking for the grieving families. Please just let them bury their loved ones the right way.
LET THEM BURY THEIR OWN! So cruel to deny someone their final religious rites during such a hard time.
Totally unfair. Other countries are not doing this so why are we?? Big mistake.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
My heart goes out to all the families who cant bury their own. This is wrong on every level.