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The City is working with the MJC to increase burial capacity at City cemeteries for Muslim burials. PHOTO: RACINE EDWARDES
FUNERALS
Additional space for Muslim burials KAYLYNNE BANTOM KAYLYNNE.BANTOM@MEDIA24.COM
T
he Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) says because of the Covid-19 pandemic, janazahs (Muslim funerals) have quadrupled over the past few months. As a result, increased burial capacity in Cape Town cemeteries for Muslim burials is being arranged. Sheikh Riad Fataar, second deputy president of the MJC and chair of the MJC Burial Administration, says since 2006 they have already experienced a need for more burial space. Fataar says at least three graveyards have reached capacity. He explains that includes the Johnson Road Muslim burial grounds in Rylands and the Muslem burial ground in
Constantia. Zahid Badroodien, City of Cape Town Mayco member for community services and health, says the City is working with the MJC to increase burial capacity at City cemeteries for Muslim burials. Badroodien says currently, City cemeteries accommodate approximately 150 Muslim burials per month. “The City respects all residents’ religious rights and therefore works actively with the MJC to ensure Islamic burial rights, particularly in terms of a Muslim’s right to be buried on the same day of death.” Badroodien adds that cemeteries with Muslim allotments are Muizenberg, Dido Valley, Ocean View, Klip Road, Maitland, Atlantis, Delft, Wallacedene, Welmoed, Khayelitsha, and Kleinvlei. He says because of the increase in the number of janazahs per month, the City
opened more space at the Maitland cemetery. Fataar encourages people to use municipal cemeteries to bury their loved ones. “During these tough economic times municipal cemeteries are more cost effective,” he says. Badroodien says until now, Klip Road cemetery has been the preferred burial site, but says regrettably, the Muslim allotment at this site has been exhausted. He explains that while there is sufficient capacity at other cemeteries, the City has also created a new Muslim burial block at the Maitland cemetery that can accommodate a further 837 graves. According to Badroodien this is in addition to the burial blocks created for all denominations in 2020, as part of the City’s response to the virus. He says they are working with the MJC to ensure that burials
happen timeously, with dignity and in line with the City’s operations. “To this end, we appeal to the Muslim community to please try and bury during working hours where possible and before sunset, in the interest of funeral-goers’ safety, but also City staff. The MJC has also provided area coordinators who can facilitate the burial documentation after hours when the City’s cemetery offices are closed.” Badroodien says payment for the grave before burial is mandatory for everyone who uses the City’s cemeteries but reiterates that the City does not charge after-hours tariffs. He adds that they do make special arrangements for Muslim burials to be facilitated until sunset. V Enquiries about the City’s cemeteries can be directed to the area offices between 07:30 and 16:00, Monday to Friday or via email to Cemetery.Administration@capetown.gov.za.
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