The Manila Islamic Cemetery and Cultural Hall in Manila should serve as an “eye-opener” and “inspiration” for other local government units (LGUs) to establish and fund their own Muslim-Filipino public cemeteries, Lanao del Norte 1st district Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo said on Wednesday, Oct. 19.
This was said during the hearing for the initial consideration on House Bills (HB) 2587 (by Reps. Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur 1st district and Yasser Alonto Balindong of Lanao del Sur 2nd district) and 3755 (by Basilan lone district Rep. Mujiv Hataman), which seek to require all LGUs to allocate land, depending on the size of their respective Muslim population, for the establishment of Muslim cemeteries.
Initially, there was apprehension for the bill because of the Constitutional requirement of the separation of Church and State.
However, the inauguration of the first Muslim cemetery in Manila last 2021 under then-Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno“ Domagoso opened the talks for the possibility of having an Islamic cemetery in every LGU.
“I hope this committee meeting can also be an eye-opener or inspiration for other LGUs to visit the City of Manila and learn how they can replicate the Muslim cemetery project of Manila in their respective localities,” Dimaporo, who chairs the House Committee on Muslim Affairs, stated during the hearing.
“I, for one, would like to task the LGUs of Lanao del Norte to visit the City of Manila dahil sa totoo lang nauna kayo (you were first) compared to us. If Manila can do it, it’s a clear signal there should not be an issue in the case of the separation of church and state and we can properly look in how you implemented it so we won’t have problems with our auditors when we implement it in our LGUs,” the lawmaker added.
He would request a copy of ordinance from Manila City, so the lawmakers can relay it to their counterparts in their respective localities.
READ: Muslim public cemetries needed in localities — Rep. Hataman
Dimaporo questioned Manila Muslim Affairs Director Shey Sakaluran Mohammad if there had been no issues with the Commission on Audit (COA) regarding the allocation of fund for the cemetery.
Mohammad explained that the ordinance was based on protecting the culture and tradition of the Filipinos.
Domagoso, for his part, also said the ordinance had “nothing to do with religion” so the Constitutional requirement of the separation of the Church and state does not cover it.
“So, we really try to stay away from the issue of religion . . . Ang paggawa ng batas maraming basehan po, di ba (The basis of making a law has many basis) right, needs or it can be a form of services. Another one, if I’m not mistaken—custom. Isa sa bisa sa paggawa ng batas ‘yun (One of the basis of making a law is) customary,” he further said.
Dimaporo also led the presenting of the plaque of appreciation to Domagoso for being the “inspiration” behind the bill.
Meanwhile, noting the lack of cemeteries for the performance of the Islamic burial tradition, Adiong reiterated that a dedicated Muslim cemetery would provide “many benefits” for Muslims, particularly in practicing their burial rites.
He said many Muslims had to travel far and transport the bodies of their deceased because there is no accessible Muslim cemetery from where they live.
Among Muslims, it is believed that the senses of the deceased are heightened, therefore, the performance of the burial tradition must be done swiftly but done with utmost care to not inflict pain and suffering to the deceased,” Adiong explained.
“The bill will allow Muslims to perform the burial tradition, which is a collective obligation of the Muslim community, and it will be done so in a timely and cautious manner,” he added.
The lawmaker also said the bill would foster inclusion among Muslims and deeper understanding of the Islamic culture and traditions between Muslims and non-Muslims.