Minister says Jakim to update Muslim funeral guidelines for all states after burial delayed in Selangor

BUKIT MERTAJAM, July 5 — The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) is refining funeral management guidelines to serve as a nationwide reference, following an issue that went viral recently.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said the effort takes into account current needs as well as state enactments and laws.

“Several states already have their own guidelines, but Jakim sees the need to enhance them into a more comprehensive reference.

“Jakim is finalising the guidelines for use by other states. Some states already have their own, but we will further improve them,” he told reporters after officiating the Multaqa Madani Ulama and Umara Programme for the Northern Zone at Masjid Timah, Permatang Pauh, here today.

On the timeline, Zulkifli said the guidelines will be completed as soon as possible while ensuring compliance with state laws.

“It should not take long as the basic guidelines already exist and only need to be fine-tuned,” he said.

On the viral issue involving funeral management in Selangor, he said the matter has been left to the state religious authorities – the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) and the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) – to handle.

He also urged all parties to remain calm and work together to resolve the issue without causing division.

Previously, Mais directed an immediate meeting between the next of kin, the management of Masjid Nurul Hidayah, Kampung Pandan Dalam, Badan Kebajikan Salatulrahim (BKS) and Jais to resolve allegations of delay in the burial of a body at the Ukay Perdana Muslim Cemetery in Hulu Kelang.

Mais chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin said the move aimed to find the best solution for all parties and prevent similar incidents in the future. — Bernama