By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar
SHAH ALAM, Oct 6 — The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) has confirmed the need to implement multi-tiered graves in several Islamic burial grounds in the state.
Its director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad said critical districts include Gombak, Hulu Langat, and Klang, based on population density and land availability.
The implementation of multi-tiered graves has already been deemed permissible by a fatwa, and Jais will propose several recommendations and implementation methods to the state government, depending on the location’s suitability.
“Earlier this year, Jais had already presented this to the State Government Secretary because there is a need for multi-tiered graves in the Klang Valley, especially due to the population density and the difficulty in acquiring land.
“The permissibility of multi-tiered graves has been determined by fatwa. However, I will propose several recommendations to the state government (based on the suitability and needs of specific areas), as some burial grounds are fully utilised, some are partially used, and there are new burial grounds,” he said.
Speaking after the closing ceremony of the Selangor Al-Barzanji and Marhaban Festival at Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah yesterday, Shahzihan said several procedures need to be followed before the proposal for multi-tiered graves can be implemented.
“The proposed method of implementation needs to be presented to the Fatwa Committee, and if agreed upon, it will be submitted to His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor (Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj) for further discussion, and then to the state government.
“The method of implementation has been identified; it only needs to be finalised based on the status of the graves — whether they are full, partially full, or empty,” he said.
Engagement sessions with local authorities and the district and land offices will also be conducted to inform them of the matter.
“This is because Jais is aware of the death rate each year, the capacity of burial grounds, and other factors which enable it to identify which areas or districts require multi-tiered graves,” Shahzihan said.
Previously, Lembah Jaya state assemblyman Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman Alhadad proposed the implementation of multi-tiered graves in Selangor.
He suggested that Ampang could serve as a pilot for the proposal, as all the burial grounds in the area are full save for Ukay Perdana.