Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Manama: Kuwait’s municipality said evening burials would be allowed throughout the month of Ramadan as an option to avoid the scorching heat during the day.
The head of funeral affairs at the municipality, Faysal Al Awadhi, said new timings for burials during the month would be 10am, after the Asr prayers (3pm) and 10pm.
“Due to high temperatures in June and in order to facilitate services and relieve mourners during prayers and burial, it was decided to add the evening time as an option,” he said in a statement carried by Kuwaiti news site Al Watan.
“Families can choose when to bury their deceased relatives. The department has provided all the facilities, including floodlights and movable air-conditioned shades. For the afternoon prayers, an ambulance has been provided by the Ministry of Health throughout the Holy Month.”
Adult and physically-fit Muslims are required to fast by abstaining from eating or drinking from sunrise until sunset during Ramadan, the ninth month on the lunar-based Islamic calendar.
With temperatures in the upper 40s, many people, especially the elderly, face problems venturing out in the afternoon and often times cases of exhaustion were reported, prompting calls for post sundown burials that would spare mourners the intensity of the heat.
Funeral rituals that include short prayers and the exchange of condolences could last more than one hour if a large number of people turn out to offer their sympathies.
The timing chosen for the evening burials allows ample time for worshippers to have their Isha (evening) prayers at around 8.15 followed by Taraweeh, the special Ramadan prayers that could last up to one hour.
Some families, however, might rule out the evening burial option amid concerns that many people might not feel comfortable going to a graveyard in the evening.
By Habib Toumi Bureau Chief
Gulf News 2017. All rights reserved.
