Puppo Orlando (man in the picture) shows the scattered cemetery at the church (Image via: The Japan News)

Lack of Burial for Muslim People in Japan

OITA - As the number increase, Muslim people in Japan find it difficult to rest in peace. For Muslim people, their final destination lies 7 feet beneath the soil, different than the burial of Shinto which is by cremation. Japan expected the number of Muslim people to grow, after having Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law run into force. However, as the number rocketed, the demand for proper final resting place also goes up.

Take an example in Kyushu, where only one cemetery is allocated for Muslim at Catholic church in Beppu, Oita Prefecture. Starting around 8 years ago, Puppo Orlando, the pastor in the church, decided to open the burial space for Muslim. The cemetery, burial site for 10 people already, cannot hold anymore, stated Puppo Orlando. Meanwhile, there are over 500 Muslim people in the prefecture, according to Beppu Muslim Organization

The fact that there are around 170,000 Muslim people throughout Japan, according to the Japan Muslim Association, the demand for a decent burial site inclines.

In Fukuoka, a masjid was completed in 2009. However, they could not afford a burial site; therefore, the body had to go to Beppu. Or else, the family had to bring the body of the deceased back to the home country, which costs more than holding a burial service and having it buried decently in Japan.

While the main problem comes from the certification from the government, the other cause comes from the people who strongly reject the idea of Muslim burial.

Source: http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0005723584