To restore the dignity and honour loved ones who have died the Mowbray Muslim Cemetery has initiated a community participation weekend where the public is invited to be part of a clean-up operation.
The initiative which will run over two days from Saturday 29 to Sunday 30 October will give people the opportunity to clean up and upgrade the graves of their loved ones.
Adv Shameemah Dollie Salie, member of the Muslim Cemetery Board, says the private cemetery based in Observatory has a history that spans to the 1800s.
“We have many old graves and much heritage in the cemetery. What we have found over the years is that many of the tombstones have been damaged. It is important to remember our heritage and culture and we want to restore the sense of pride of where we come from and our forefathers.”
Salie explains that in terms of the City’s bylaw the responsibility of individual graves lies upon the family while the cemetery and its surrounds are the responsibility of the cemetery board.
“So, we would like to encourage the community to understand the importance of looking after the graves of their loved ones and also to be placed in a position where we are reminded of where we are to return to, and the importance of living a life that will be remembered and rewarded by the Almighty.”
She explains that the clean-up is crucial for the geo-tagging project which is in the pipeline for the cemetery.
“In order for your loved one’s grave to be geo-tagged it is important that the tombstone is visible so that we are able to identify who the deceased is that lies in a particular grave in order for the geo-tagging to be effective.
“The geo-tagging will be done in such a way that family members will be able to identify on an app where their loved one is buried, because the name will pop up and the vicinity of the grave will also be noted on the app.”
Salie explains that if family members want their loved ones’ graves to be geo-tagged “it is important that they come out and identify those individual graves” and clean it.
“During the Covid-19 period many people were unable to greet and send off their loved ones in the manner that we are accustomed to. This clean-up allows the community to come together and make their prayers and find some form of closure of the departure of so many loved ones.”
Sheikh Riad Fataar, Second Deputy President of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC-SA) and chair of the MJC burial administration, says they welcome the initiative.
“This is the resting place of our loved ones, and they should be honoured and respected where they are. Everybody should come and make sure that the graves of their loved ones are cleaned and look respectable.”
He adds: “If you are cleaning the grave of a loved one then do take the time to look around and attend to a grave that may be neglected that may not be that of a family member or friend. In this way we maintain the dignity and the honour of those who have passed on.”
Salie says people are urged to bring along their spades, bags, buckets and gloves and get involved in the initiative.
“Present at the cemetery on the weekend will be a range of service providers and cemetery operational partners. Also participating are Things on Wheels, Bismillah on the Lounge and Good Hope Meat Hyper who will provide meals over the weekend at no cost to participants.”
Salie says she hopes the initiative will be successful so that it can be rolled out to other cemeteries.
“The community can come out; we welcome people to bring along edibles to share with others. We will have those kinds of facilities available. If any other people feel they want to do the same, we welcome the initiative to spread, and any organisation or vendor who wants to jump on board and wish to donate food, cleaning products or cooldrink are welcome to do so.”
