Isko unveils Manila’s first Muslim cemetery

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday led the groundbreaking for the city’s first Muslim cemetery.

Moreno said the city government would allocate P49.3 million for the construction of a 2,400-square-meter Muslim cemetery at the Manila South Cemetery.

The city will also establish a cultural hall for Muslims.

The cemetery will serve as an exclusive ground for the remains of Manila’s deceased Muslim residents.

Moreno emphasized the contributions of Muslims to the history and culture of the nation’s capital.

“Despite their cultural contributions, we seemed to have forgotten them and did not give them the attention they deserved,” he said. “Muslims brought greatness to us even before the Spaniards reached our shores. We were then the ‘Land of Rajahs’ because rajahs ruled Manila, specifically the Rajah Sulayman dynasty.”

Moreno said based on Muslim tradition, their dead must be buried within 24 hours from the time of death.

“Our Muslim brothers and sisters have to bring their departed to Bulacan, Taguig or Mindanao to bury them because we do not have a cemetery for them in the city,” he said.

“Once the cemetery is finished, Muslims need not travel far to bury their dead,” Moreno added.