Mosque Offers Help for Funeral Rites

The Masjid Ul HIlal at Saweni, Lautoka, is providing free funeral services to poor families in conducting the last rites for their loved ones.

This is made possible through a donation by a group of New Zealand families who bought a funeral van to provide free transportation.

Sirajul Islam Trust president Mohammed Sadiq said the vehicle cost was $35, 000.

“They bought the vehicle and it is fitted with a bed to carry the body from hospital to the home then to the cemetery,” he said.

“This will be given for free to community members for their loved ones. They just have to call us, and they will be services will be rolled out.”

Mr Sadiq said it was part of his mother’s dream.

“The late Karisha Bibi wanted to have all this part of the collaboration with the Saweni Mosque, which is boasted to be the biggest in the South Pacific. It was opened in 2019 and caters to more than 4000 worshippers at a time.”

He said the three-storey building which cost about $1.5 million was built at a strategic location to cater for poor families who could not far for their prayers.

A community member, Hafiz Rahman acknowledged the collaboration of the trustee and the donor for a great gesture.

“This is a great humanitarian initiative to give back to the community, as the unfortunate family would like to give their last respect in a more dignified manner,” he said.

Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj