Islamic Groups Urge Fashola To Reject Cremation Bill

Some Islamic organisations in Lagos State
have urged Governor Babatunde Fashola
not to sign the Cremation Bill recently
passed by the Lagos State House of
Assembly.

Head of Muslim Rights Concern, Prof. Is-haq
Akintola, said the Assembly had shown that it
had a "hidden agenda" in passing the bill.In a
statement on Wednesday, the groups described the bill as "anti-Islam and at variance with Nigerian culture". They said the Assembly acted against the citizens of the state by passing the bill.

He said, "During the public hearing of the bill at the House of Assembly, it was opposed not only by Muslims but by citizens of the state. Those who sponsored and fast-tracked the passage of that bill have a hidden agenda. We appeal to our Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, not to impose

this bill on Lagosians by signing it into law."
Chairman, Supreme Council for Shari'ah in
Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, Ishaq Adeshina,
noted that under Shariah, life was sacred and
that there must be a befitting burial for a dead Muslim.

The Muslim Student Society of Nigeria, Lagos
State chapter said cremation of corpses was
"inhuman, barbaric and anti-Islam.
MSSN Amir in Lagos, Mr. Qasim Badrudeen,
wondered why the government would "import" a culture alien to Nigeria.
"We view the explanation that mass burial of
corpses on land poses health hazards to the
people of Lagos as statement that does not hold any water," he said.