Search under way for suitable Islamic cemetery

Ministry of Education proposes hiring consultant for EUR 30,000

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The Finnish Islamic Council is looking for a location in the south of Finland for a cemetery for Muslims. The aim is to get an area that could accommodate thousands of graves over the coming decades.
      The council has asked a number of municipalities in the south of Finland if they have an suitable land area for the purpose.
      The council’s deputy chairman, Anas Hajjar said that only a few of the municipalities answered the enquiry, and that the answers were all negative.
     
An enquiry to the Uusimaa Regional Council did not bring any results, because cemeteries are decided at the municipal level.
     
The Islamic Council has decided to hire a consultant, for an estimated fee of about EUR 30,000.
      The task of the consultant would be to pinpoint appropriate areas, assess their suitability for the purpose, and conduct studies of the soil.
     
The council itself does not have the money to hire such a consultant, but Helsingin Sanomat has learned that the Ministry of Education is proposing that the funds be included in this year’s second supplementary budget.
      The Ministry of Finance responds to proposals for the supplementary budgets next week, after which they will be made public. Before that, the Ministry of Education is neither confirming nor denying the information.
     
The Finnish government agreed in 2007 to take part in the costs of setting up an Islamic cemetery.
      The consultant’s fee proposed by the Ministry of Education is one of the first phases in the move. The total costs are estimated at EUR 1-2 million.
      A foundation is to be set up for the financing of the cemetery, which would have representation of the Islamic Council, the various Islamic religious communities, and the state.
      Finland has about 45,000 Muslims. The precise number is unknown because not all Muslims are registered members of a religious community.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Muslims looking for land to set up cemetery near Helsinki (14.8.2008)

Helsingin Sanomat