SHAH ALAM: The majority of family members and next of kin affected by the moving of 90 graves in the Klang Strait Muslim Cemetery have agreed with the decision to exhume and relocate the graves, says Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
The Selangor Mentri Besar said the state government is currently working with the local authorities and the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) to reach an agreement with the remaining next of kin to approve the construction of the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project in the area.
“We will continue discussions with the parties involved because the majority agrees.
“For the next of kin who have not agreed, we will give them another week to discuss the matter with JAIS, the local authorities and ECRL,” he said at a press conference at Bangunan Wisma Dewan Negeri Selangor yesterday, Bernama reported.
He was commenting on press reports that there were next of kin and family members who remained opposed to moving the graves after holding a meeting with JAIS on Wednesday.
Prior to that, Amirudin announced that the work of digging and moving the graves, which was scheduled for Wednesday, had been postponed for another week, among other things, to carry out the notification and hearing for the next of kin.
Amirudin also reported that the state government aims to welcome 30,000 visitors from both domestic and international locations to the Turath Islami Festival, scheduled to take place at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque from May 26 to June 2.
He said the festival, which will enter its second year, aims to revive and spread the Islamic heritage in Selangor.
It will be attended by two prominent scholars, the former Grand Mufti of Egypt, Maulana Al-Imam Dr Ali Jum’ah and Habib Umar Hafiz.
“With the presence of the two prominent scholars as well as 23 great scholars from regional countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore, we are confident that the number of visitors will triple compared with around 10,000 last year.
“This is a sign of the Selangor state government’s commitment to spread and revive the Islamic heritage,” he said.
Amirudin said the festival has 12 main events.
This includes the study of the Forty Hadith book written by Imam Nawawi, which will be led by Al-Imam Dr Ali Jum’ah as well as an international seminar on the book Riyadhu al-Solihin.
Those interested in participating in the festival can register at www.turathislamiselangor.com.
