The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the passage of a law in the Philippines that ensures the right of Muslims to receive Islamic funeral rites.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law a measure that requires the proper and immediate burial of Filipino Muslims in line with Islamic traditions, local media reported Tuesday. Under the new law, burials must be done as soon as possible, even without a death certificate.
SEE: Philippine president signs Islamic Burial Act
“We welcome the passage of this law ensuring the religious right of Muslims to Islamic funeral rites,” said CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw. “We encourage the Philippine government to continue taking measures to ensure the rights of Muslims in the country.”
He noted that the Philippine government has previously been guilty of crimes against the Muslim Moro people during the conflict in Mindanao, which ended in 2019.
CAIR has previously opposed Islamophobia and anti-Muslim policies in India, China, Myanmar, and other countries.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com