EUROPE/ITALY - Father Justo Lacunza Rector of PISAI, the Pontifical Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies in Rome, told Fides about burial rites in the Islamic world

Rome (Fides Service)- “Islam has no rigid burial rituals which must be followed by all Muslims countries, only a few general indications” Father Justo Lacunza, Rector of the Pontifical Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies PISAI in Rome told Fides. “For Islamic theology death marks the conclusion of earthly life and the passing to paradise where all Muslims are destined. Burial therefore must take into account the reality of the resurrection of the body. This is why the body is always placed facing the east and the rising sun. The body is washed and wrapped in a seamless sheet similar to the garment worn by pilgrims to the Mecca. The burial ceremony is usually preceded by the reading of the first chapter, or Sura, of the Koran” Father Lacunza told Fides.
“The norm that the body must be buried as soon as possible is quite recent and does not apply to all Muslim countries. The custom was introduced by the Wahabi in Saudi Arabia to avoid that excessive contact with the deceased person, should lead to his or her “sanctification” by parents and friends. Wahabi have in fact an extremely rigid understanding of monotheism which excludes the cult of saints because, they hold, it diminishes worship due to God alone” the Rector of PISAI told Fides. “However the norm cannot be applied in every country. For example in Europe there are legal procedures for burial which require time and generally speaking it is impossible to bury someone within 24 hours of death” Father Lacunza said.
“The burial ceremony also varies from one country to another. In some parts of the world it is the custom for family members and friends of the dead person to fill the grave with their bare hands, a rite not easy to perform here in Europe” Father Lacunza concluded. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/11/2004 righe 27 parole 345)