Minority Religions Face Burial Problems In Kyrgyzstan

Forum 18 reports today on the problems faced in Kyrgyzstan by members of non-Muslim faiths in burying their dead. A fatwa issued by the country's Muftiate bars non-Muslims from being buried in Muslim cemeteries. Cemeteries are run by local governments and particularly in rural areas, often Muslim cemeteries are the only ones available. Sometimes local imams allow burials of non-Muslims, but only if Muslim funeral rites are performed. A meeting of Russian Orthodox, Protestant and Muslim leaders earlier this month at the State Agency for Religious Affairs decided that each time such a problem occurred, the heads of religious communities should meet to find a common solution.