COVID-19: OIC lauds Sri Lankan's decision to stop cremating bodies of Muslim victims

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has lauded the decision of the SriLankan government to desist from cremating the bodies of Muslim victims of the COVID-19 virus.

While disclosing this on Friday, the government stated that the decision will allow the bodies to be buried according to Islamic rites.

The General Secretariat, headed by Secretary-General, Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen, had called on the Sri Lankan authorities on several occasions since the outbreak of COVID19 to refrain from cremating the bodies of Muslim victims and allow their burial according to Islamic rituals.

The Secretary-General renewed the call in his speech before the 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (#HRC46), on February 23, 2021.

While appreciating the response of the Sri Lankan authorities to these calls, the General Secretariat reaffirmed the commitment of the OIC to follow up the situation of Muslim communities and minorities in non-member states and defend their rights.

“The OIC General Secretariat hopes that the decision of the authorities in Sri Lanka will contribute to protecting the rights of Muslims there,” he said.