MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN
COLOMBO – The National Muslim Assembly (NMA) felicitated businessman and civil society leader, Afzal Marikar, in appreciation of his services to Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Muslim Community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Held on July 01, Marikar was presented with ‘Declarations of Appreciation’ from the NMA and the Sri Lankan Memon Association , Sri Lankan Malay Association and Sri Lankan Dawoodi Bohra Communities.
Marikar was one of those who worked round the clock to fulfil the burial rites of the Muslim dead bodies who were victims of the deadly Covid.
It was a time when Covid dead bodies were cremated irrespective of the Islamic sentiments that abhorred cremation according to its faith. Subsequently, the government allowed the Muslim burial at Oddamawaddy, some 300 kms from the Sri Lankan capital after a persistent demand from the aggrieved community
Afzal Marikar’s team came to assist such 3,400 burials that were brought from all parts of the island over a period of time. Marikar saw that those dead bodies brought to Oddamawady were given a decent burial according to Islamic rites. Prayer hall and rest room were built for those who accompanied the dead bodies.
In his thanking speech,Marikar said it was a collective effort supported by Ministers Ali Sabry and Naseer Ahamed who left no stones unturned to make his efforts successful. He thanked all the philanthropists and civil societies who stood with him in his venture
Marikar has been a devoted and dedicated social worker who was ever-willing to help those who are in need. He is also the Hony. Consul for Pakistan in Kandy.
