Founding Statement
In 1998 a few concerned brothers banded together to form the Islamic Burial Council. The primary objective of the council was to provide the community with a single, unified and structured body to coordinate all burial societies and communicate the needs of the community to the various government departments and hospitals.
Message From Chairman - Ahmed Paruk
Since inception some 16 years ago, by Allah's (SWT) grace, the Islamic Burial Council has grown. The Islamic Burial Council decided that it was time for us to acquire all Muslim cemeteries within the Metro Council. We have at present 39 burial societies, affiliated to the Islamic Burial Council with more than 10 cemeteries under our curatorship. All new cemeteries will also be allocated a section for Muslim burials and that these new sections will also fall under the management of the Islamic Burial Council, as per our negotiated agreement.
Some of the highlights of the Islamic Burial Council are as follows:
1. Overturning the closure of the Gale Street mortuary. After lengthy battles with the health department, the mortuary was allowed to remain open. The Islamic Burial Council, together with the undertaker movement secured R5 million in upgrades of the existing facility.
2. An upgrade and revamp to all other existing cemeteries.
3. A streamlined and unified interaction with stakeholders.
4. All facilitators are now acknowledged and registered with the Department of Home Affairs, as registrars of death.
Message From Chairman - A. V. Mohamed
As a founder member of the Islamic Burial Council it gives me great joy to see how the organization has grown over the years. I wish to thank all the council members, our sister organizations and our service providers for their tireless and selfless contributions, without any remuneration, 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Without them, we would not have been able to provide the community with this much needed service.
That being said, the Islamic Burial Council could always use more help and welcomes any contributions in any form. My appeal is to the youth. It is vital that they play a proactive role and join the Islamic Burial Council so that this service will be available long after we are gone. The rewards for participating and providing people with a critical service in their most desperate time, is unlimited.
In closing I would like to thank all the sponsors and donors who have supported us through the years. Finally I would like to thank the management team of the Islamic Burial Council for their efforts. May Allah (SWT) reward all of you for your unselfish contributions to humanity.