ஜனாஸாக்கள் எரிப்பு - முஸ்லிம் சமூகத்தில் ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ள கவலை

சுகாதார இயக்குநர் ஜெனரல் தலைமையிலான மருத்துவ அதிகாரிகள் எடுத்த முடிவுக்கு அமைய, கொரோனாவினால் மரணிப்பவர்களின் உடல்கள் எரிக்கப்பட்டு வருகின்றன. அந்தவகையில் இதுவரை 3 முஸ்லிம்களின் ஜனாஸாக்கள் இதுவரை இலங்கையில் எரிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.

இது முஸ்லிம் சமூகத்தினரிடையே கடுமையான கவலையையும் அமைதியின்மையையும் ஏற்படுத்துகிறதுஇ ஏனெனில் ஒரு நல்லடக்கம் நியாயமற்ற கோரிக்கை அல்ல என்பது அவர்களின் நம்பிக்கை.

 The decision made by the medical officers led by the Director General of Health only permits the  cremation of  COVID - 19 victims, causing severe anxiety and unrest amongst the Muslim community as it is their belief that a decent burial is not an unfair request. 

The community continues to make representations to the authorities requesting them to reconsider burial as an option. Particularly in view the WHO guidelines permit a burial and around 180 countries  in the world have permitted it, including India, Singapore, UK, USA and Israel and all the middle eastern countries to name a few. 

Consequently a meeting was arranged for the members of the community and the medical representatives to meet and make representations to the Task force led by the Director General of Health. 

Accordingly a meeting was held between the representatives of the community which included, 
1. Prof Rezvi Sheriff - Snr Consultant Nephrologist and Past President Sri Lanka Medical Association 
2. Prof Ravindra Ferdinando- Retired Senior Professor of Forensic Medicine and Past President Sri Lanka   Medical Association- 
3. Prof K I Deen - Retired Senior Professor of Surgery and Consultant Gastrointestinal Surgeon- 
4. Prof Vajira Dissanayake- Chair professor of Anatomy Colombo and clinical Genetist and  Past  President Sri Lanka Medical Association -
5. Dr Ruvaiz Haniffa - Head Dept Family Medicine Colombo Consultant Family Physician and Past President Sri Lanka Medical Association- 
6. Mr Illiyas Admani PC 
7. Razeek Zarook PC 

The meeting between the two groups was conducted for around two hours during which the distinguished members representing the community placed their case for burial with scientific evidence primarily on the basis that the virus is not waterborne and a proper burial 8 feet underground will not have any known risk as 180 counties have adopted the same. 

They further pointed out if the social distancing guidelines require only a one meter distance to avoid the virus, there is zero probability for it to spread when buried 8 feet underneath in a concealed coffin.  

The members of the task force defended their position primarily on the basis that, 

1. This virus is unknown, hence cannot rule out the possibility of a spread. 
2. SL water table is relatively shallow and thus there is a possibility of a contamination. 
3. The cremation is the safest option as it clearly destroys the virus. 

4. Some members of the committee raised certain concern beyond medicine and science such as terrorists using the corpse as a biological weapon and 20 million people getting in to the streets if a burial is permitted. 

This is further to our meeting with the Director General of Health and his officials on the 13th of April. 

In consequent to the meeting with the Hon. Prime Minister on the 12th of April at Carlton Tangalle, and on his direction to the Hon. Minister a meeting was summoned by the Hon. Minister of Health Madam Pavithra Wanniaarachi  to discuss the issue of cremation together with the Director General of Health and other officials. 

Our team was once again led by Vidyajothi Prof. Rizvi Sheriff and Deshamanya Prof Haleem Sheriffdeen and Professors Ravindra Fernando and Haniffa. They were supported by Messrs. Ali Sabry P.C. Illyas P.C Razik Zarook P.C. and prominent lobbyists and activists Messrs.  Muslim Salahudeen, Azad Ali, Mizver Mackeen, Mayor Hilmy Mohamed, Haji Faris, Razick Anver, Chairman  Mohamed, Careem Hilmy Mohamed and others of the lobby group. 

Prof. Sheriff outlined our case and emphasized the need to revisit the decision to cremate. Both Professors Sheriff and Sherifdeen while appreciating the efforts of the officials, medical personnel and others, pointed out the scientific aspects to allay the fear of burial while Dr. Haniffa emphasized the need to address the ethical aspects. Mr. Ali Sabry PC brought to the notice the anxiety of the community and the need to look at the options of  burial to be restored. 

The discussions were at length but once again the fear of the unknown was manifested as the reason for the decision to have only cremation . The vociferous opposition strangely was from the JMO of the IDH who had only 7 Corona deaths to dispose of so far. It was pointed out that there is no cogent evidence to establish that the virus can live in a dead body or in water . Both the epidemiologist and a geohydrographer were manifesting fears not backed on  scientific data and when  questioned by P.C. Zarook  admitted that they are acting with the syndrome of fear of the unknown.  

A microbiologist pathetically wished that we should be as China on the other side of the 182 and cremate. She couldn't adduce any evidence but again manifested  the fear of the unknown. 

Prof Sherifdeen pointed out that medical practice should be based on facts as it is and not how it would be in future. 

Haji Muslim wound up by making a passionate plea to  permit burial as the community is today in a dilemma. 

Both the Hon. Minister and the the Director General of Health were genuinely concerned and responsive and stated this will be reviewed again at the earliest convenience. We had the impression that the concerns and decisions were bona fide and not motivated by any extraneous factors, even though the JMO is under gratuitous fear of infection after death which is yet to be established. 

Let's pray to the Almighty that all  ignorance be banished and that science be evolved soon