Islamic groups urge Fashola to reject Cremation Bill

Some Islamic organisations in Lagos State have urged Governor Babatunde Fashola not to sign the Cremation Bill recently passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly.
In a statement on Wednesday, the groups described the bill as “anti-Islam and at variance with Nigerian culture”. They said the Assembly acted against the citizens of the state by passing the bill.
Head of Muslim Rights Concern, Prof. Is-haq Akintola, said the Assembly had shown that it had a “hidden agenda” in passing the bill.

He said, “During the public hearing of the bill at the House of Assembly, it was opposed not only by Muslims but by citizens of the state. Those who sponsored and fast-tracked the passage of that bill have a hidden agenda. We appeal to our Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, not to impose this bill on Lagosians by signing it into law.”
Chairman, Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, Ishaq Adeshina, noted that under Shariah, life was sacred and that there must be a befitting burial for a dead Muslim.
The Muslim Student Society of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter said cremation of corpses was “inhuman, barbaric and anti-Islam.
MSSN Amir in Lagos, Mr. Qasim Badrudeen, wondered why the government would “import” a culture alien to Nigeria.
“We view the explanation that mass burial of corpses on land poses health hazards to the people of Lagos as statement that does not hold any water,” he said.