ACJU writes to President, PM and Health Minister regarding burial of COVID dead

All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) has made a fresh appeal to allow the burial of COVID dead in a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, and Health Services Director-General Dr. Asela Gunawardena. 

Following are excerpts of the letter, signed on behalf of the 7,600 Members Scholars around the country by the ACJU Executive Committee.

It is with great concern that we witness the critical impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected many countries around the world and has disrupted the normal routine lives of the people.

Accordingly, today we write about a very sensitive matter, which unfortunately has become a controversial topic currently. We wish to express our serious concerns regarding the cremation of victims of COVID-19. We reiterate that this request is in accordance with the guidelines set by many international health organisations and endorsed by recognised medical professionals the world over.

We are aware that many concerns have been expressed, claiming that groundwater may be contaminated due to the burial of COVID-19 victims; and various other issues have been cited as reasons to mandate cremation as the only mode of disposal of the bodies of COVID-19 victims. 

However, it is significant to note that since the outbreak of this global pandemic, almost all the countries in the world have practised the burial of the bodies of COVID-19 victims without any reports of any complications or issues arising due to this practice.

College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka (CCPSL):

The most recent statement in support of permitting burials for COVID-19 victims has been issued by the CCPSL, who have stated there is no solid evidence indicating that the burial of dead bodies would increase the spread of COVID-19. 

Furthermore, CCPSL has said that each citizen should be allowed to be cremated or buried as per his/her and the family’s desire within the strict guidelines recommended by the Ministry of Health. (https://www.newsfirst.lk/2020/12/31/victims-can-be-buried-or-cremated-as-per-familys-wish/)

Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA):

The SLMA, too, has confirmed that burial of COVID-19 victims can be permitted in Sri Lanka based on available scientific data. They have clearly stated: “The virus itself can thrive only inside a living cell. It is unlikely that it could remain infectious within a dead body for any significant period of time.”

(https://www.newsfirst.lk/2021/01/03/sri-lanka-can-bury-COVID-19-victims-slma/)

Professor Malik Peiris, a world-renowned pathologist and virologist who currently serves as Chair Professor of the Department of Virology in the University of Hong Kong, too, has stated as follows: “When you bury the body six feet down, wrapped in impermeable wrapping, it is very safe.” He further stated that “the transmission of the coronavirus from burial is extremely unlikely”.

(https://island.lk/dr-malik-suggests-burying-COVID-19-victims-in-impermeable-wrapping/)

Former Chief Government Virologist and Epidemiologist Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe also stated that coronavirus dead bodies could be buried. He further explained that there was no question of the germs spreading through water in the grave and causing health hazards to the living.

(http://www.ft.lk/opinion/Cremating-Muslim-corona-dead-bodies-Sri-Lanka-is-right-Whole-world-is-wrong/14-710412)

World Health Organisation (WHO):

The WHO guidelines on ‘Infection prevention and control for the safe management of a dead body in the context of COVID-19’, published in September 2020, clearly stated that the dead bodies of COVID-19 victims could be buried, provided that standard related regulations are followed. WHO stated: “There is a common assumption that people who die of a communicable disease should be cremated to prevent the spread of that disease; however, there is a lack of evidence to support this.”

(https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/331538/WHO-COVID-19-lPC_DBMgmt-2020.1-eng.pdf)

Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the US Department of Health and Human Services:

There is no danger of the virus spreading as a result of the burial of the bodies of COVID-19 victims. The wishes of the deceased family members should be honoured in deciding on the issue.

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/funeral-guidance.html)

It has been reported that the Expert Committee appointed by the Ministry of Health on this matter has recommended both burial and cremation. It has been further reported that the committee also stated there is no evidence to prove the virus can be transmitted through water contamination after burial.

According to Islamic teachings, the burial of the body is one the most important obligations due to the deceased person; and thus, denial of this right is emotionally painful to the Muslim community. Due to the immense concern regarding this matter, the Muslim community is deeply grieved and psychologically distressed.

Since there is no credible evidence to prove that burying of COVID-19 victims is harmful or can result in the spread of this disease, we earnestly urge the President to intervene and instruct the relevant authorities to amend the relevant procedures and to permit the burial of the victims of COVID-19.

Millions of Sri Lankans of various religions and ethnicities have placed their trust in the Government to strengthen this nation, enabling all communities to live in peace and harmony as Sri Lankans.

May the Almighty bestow our motherland with unity, peace and prosperity; and guide us all towards eternal success. Aameen.