Home burials illegal, unsafe, Ogun govt, Islamic group warn

The Ogun State government and the Al-Maqbarah Muslim Forum, Abeokuta, have warned residents against conducting home burials, describing the practice as illegal and a violation of existing environmental and public-health laws.

This formed part of the resolutions issued in a communiqué at the end of the forum’s one-day capacity building workshop for training of trainers, held at the Crescent Muslim Professionals Hall, Leme, Abeokuta.

The workshop, themed “Sunnatic Ethics of Pre and Post Transition for the Deceased,” brought together imams, Islamic scholars, community leaders, burial teams and Muslim professionals from across the state.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Oladimeji Oresanya, reaffirmed during the workshop that burying corpses within residential compounds, especially in urban areas, contravenes Chapter 246 of the Criminal Code and state environmental regulations.

He cautioned that the practice poses avoidable legal, health and developmental risks, urging participants to become advocates against the trend that has become popular among many.

The forum also described cemetery-based and Sunnah-aligned burials as both a religious obligation and a civic responsibility, pledging to continue community sensitisation and collaboration with Islamic leadership to entrench lawful and dignified burial practices in Ogun State.

In its call to action, the forum urged Muslim families to desist from home burials and instead use approved cemeteries.

“Imams and Islamic leaders should educate their congregations on lawful and Sunnah-compliant burial practices, eliminating conflicts with authentic teachings.

“Community burial teams should undergo formal training, build competency and collaborate with the forum.

“Governments and stakeholders should support the establishment and maintenance of well-managed Muslim cemeteries,” the communiqué signed by Imam Tajudeen Ademoye read in part.

According to the communiqué, the forum also noted that it remains committed to promoting affordable, well-managed Muslim cemeteries (Maqbarahs) that align with Islamic teachings while complying with state burial legislation.

The participants were trained on a wide range of Islamic funeral procedures, including pre-death responsibilities, ritual washing and shrouding, Solatul Janazah, transportation protocols, grave preparation and post-burial obligations.

This is just as the facilitators also corrected widespread cultural practices that conflict with the Sunnah.

The forum directed all trainees to replicate the knowledge gained within their communities, adding that the progress of such activities would be monitored through indicators such as community outreach, documentation of correct procedures and the promotion of cemetery-based interments.

The workshop also received support from key Islamic and community leaders, including the Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Adelola Matemilola (who was represented); the Secretary General of the Ogun State Muslim Council, Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde; Professor Maroof Adelekan; Dr Rabiu Kushimo and Dr Khidri Mustapha.