Sadyr Japarov. Photo courtesy of the Kyrgyzstan Presidential Press Service
Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov has signed a decree implementing the law «On Burial and Funeral Affairs."
The decree recommends that the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of Kyrgyzstan issue a fatwa (religious ruling) prohibiting the construction and installation of monuments, statues, tombstones, and fences made of stone, granite, marble, metal, or combinations of these materials in Muslim cemeteries. Exceptions may be made for burials of historical and cultural significance.
«According to Sharia law, Muslims are forbidden to erect valuable stones, place photographs on graves, fence them with iron barriers, or use cement and concrete. Such customs do not help the deceased. On the contrary, the use of fired materials and building roofs over graves bring suffering to the soul of the deceased,» Japarov stated in a July interview with the Kabar news agency.
The President urged his fellow citizens to stop erecting metal and stone monuments in cemeteries.
«I don't care what some politicians say. To honor the memory of the deceased, you can read the Quran for them at home every day or remember them even if you're far away. That's enough. Then the deceased will be pleased. Erecting metal monuments or two-story mausoleums is not our tradition,» the head of state emphasized.
According to the decree, grave monuments and fences should be made of wooden materials and not exceed 0.7 meters in height. The President believes these measures will help prevent extravagance in erecting grave monuments.
SAM, the State Commission for Religious Affairs, presidential representatives in the regions, local authorities, and several other structures are tasked with conducting ongoing public awareness and education campaigns on burial issues.
The State Agency for Architecture, Construction, and Housing and Communal Services has been given three months to develop and approve urban planning documents and standard regulations (instructions) governing environmental and sanitary requirements for the placement, design, landscaping, operation, and maintenance of cemeteries, as well as the sizes of grave monuments and requirements for materials used in their manufacture and installation.
This move represents a significant shift in burial practices in Kyrgyzstan, aligning them more closely with Islamic traditions as interpreted by the current administration.
