Photo: Press Service of the Kyrgyz government
The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan (DUMK or Muftiate) has issued a fatwa regulating burial customs and funeral rites, according to Kloop.kg.
The fatwa outlines detailed guidelines for conducting funerals and specifically prohibits the following practices:
👉 Slaughtering livestock and hosting memorial gatherings in the home of the deceased during the first three days after death;
👉 Preparing memorial meals or offering sacrificial animals on the third, seventh, twentieth, fortieth, fifty-second days, or on the anniversary of death;
👉 Distributing fabric, gifts, or clothing during memorial ceremonies;
👉 Erecting gravestones, statues, or headstones made of marble, granite, metal, or any combination of these materials.
The Muftiate emphasizes that following this fatwa is a religious obligation for all Muslims in Kyrgyzstan.
According to Kloop.kg, the fatwa has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some users supporting the decision and others voicing criticism.
The fatwa follows a decree by President Sadyr Japarov banning the installation of stone, granite, marble, and metal monuments in cemeteries, except for sites of historical and cultural significance. Tombstones and grave fences must be made of wood and should not exceed 0.7 meters in height.
Additionally, at the end of January, lawmakers proposed introducing fines for violating bans on extravagance at funerals and other family events. Offenders could face penalties of up to 300,000 soms (approximately $3,430).
