Thread by @alizmoulana

Last night (30th March) around 11:50 pm, I received a frantic call from a member of the GMOA. He was calling to inform me that the COVID-19 patient who unfortunately passed away last night in Negombo was a Muslim, and preparations were underway to cremate the body.. 1/14

..against Ministry of Health and WHO circulars and guidelines. I immediately attempted to reach DGHS Dr. Anil Jayasinghe to no avail. Thereafter, I contacted Hon. @Rauff_Hakeem and informed him of the proceedings. While I was speaking with him... 2/14

...I received a message on my phone stating that the deceased had just been cremated. The time was around 12:10 am.

Firstly,this is against the religious instructions provided to Muslims where cremation is forbidden, and the religious rites of a deceased must be conducted..3/14

...and the body be buried within 24 hours. Therefore, it is unimaginable for a Muslim to allow his/her loved one to be cremated. This religious sentiment has to be recognised with humanity and mutual respect, especially as it does not breach any medical guidance provided...4/14

..or pose any risk to public health and safety. Secondly, @WHOSriLanka guidelines issued on March 24th 2020 through their Interim Guidance Report specifically states “Patients who have died from COVID-19 can be buried or cremated”....5/14

The @MoH_SriLanka, in collaboration with the Ceylon College of Physicians & Epidemiology Unit issued the third version of a directive titled “Provisional Clinical Practice Guidelines on COVID 19 suspected and confirmed patients” on 27/3/2020 which specifically states...6/14

...on Page 28: “Cremation or burial is allowed. However, burial is allowed provided that all steps to prevent contact with body is ensured.” Upon receiving further information, it was clearly evident that the deceased was isolated and no contact from outside was made...7/14

..As such, while this is considered to be a heinous breach of the guidelines stipulated through the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, moreover it is an enormous injustice committed towards the poor family of the deceased, and the Muslim community overall..8/14

..I now reliably understand that there are measures currently underway in the @MoH_SriLanka to amend the MOH guidelines yet again in collaboration with all Judicial Medical Officers (JMOs) to mandate cremation..9/14

..and prohibit burial due to community mismanagement and water and soil contamination.

Firstly, it is our firm belief that given the emergency situation that the community and not even the families should be involved in the burial of deceased COVID-19 patients...10/14

..irrespective of religion, race or ethnicity. This should be handled by the respective authorities alone.

Secondly, all WHO directives and guidelines issued by health authorities of several developed countries, all specifically allow for burial...11/14

... and do not cite groundwater contamination or soil contamination as a concern. Thirdly, we urge the MOH, JMOs and other relevant authorities to identify burial sites which are located in remote areas and all protective measures are undertaken to ensure that...12/14

...the sites of burial are not prone to contamination, a practice carried around currently globally.

Finally, while we Muslim political leaders, civil society leaders and theologians are attempting to lobby the Government and Ministry of Health to conduct a probe...13/14

and furthermore ensure that such practices are not contravened in the future, we urge the general public, specifically the Muslim community to exercise calm and comply with all regulations enforced the government and the relevant authorities. Thank you. 14/14 #COVID19LK