Reeling with the shortage of space to bury its dead, the Punjab State Waqf Board will take up the issue of graveyards with the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
“Graveyards is a major problem for the Muslim population in villages and this will be discussed with Chief Minister on his visit to Malerkotla along with other issues,” said Waqf Board chairman and former IPS officer Izhar Alam.
The Muslim community in Punjab has been facing the problem of shortage of space. “At times, they have to go as far as 30 km to perform the last rites while a number of times, they also wait for two to three days with the bodies to find some space in the nearest graveyard,” added Alam.
The decision to this effect was taken up during the State-level Muslim conference at ludhiana’s Dana Mandi.
Besides, a Shariat panchayat has also been set up in the State to decide on matters related to marriage, divorce and inheritance of the community. A Muslim welfare and ‘Shariat’
society was also formed to look after the welfare of Muslims in the State.
The ‘panchayat’ is claimed to be the first common platform for the community in the State since Independence.
In addition, the society will also take up issues related to encroachments on Waqf properties and many others.
