AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The Islamic Center of Des Moines is making preparations to acquire its cemetery, marking a significant milestone in their commitment to upholding Muslim traditions and alleviating financial burdens for bereaved families.
Muslim customs dictate a specific set of rituals for funerals, which entail washing the deceased's body and conducting prompt burials. The new cemetery will provide a space where adherents can freely practice their faith and uphold their cultural traditions, according to Imam Younes Ali Younes, who spoke with Axios.
Presently, the group carries out burials at the Glendale Cemetery, a public facility, as well as the Bosnian cemetery in Prole. However, two years ago, Younes initiated a fundraising campaign to secure 25 acres of land in Prole, with the intention of establishing the Islamic Center's own cemetery and additional land for communal purposes. The endeavor required an approximate sum of $800,000.
Younes explains that the average cost for burials in Des Moines amounts to around $6,000. However, with the center taking charge of the burial services and already owning the plots, he estimates that families will now only have to bear a cost of $1,000.
He recounts a poignant incident where a grieving widow approached him in tears, expressing her inability to afford the burial expenses. The center managed to raise enough funds to assist her, but the acquisition of the new cemetery will streamline these situations, making it easier to support those in need.
In addition to serving the Islamic community, the cemetery will also cater to Des Moines' growing Afghan population, with an acre of land designated for their use. Ahmad Tamim Sahel, president of the Iowa Afghan Community & Cultural Organization group, states that this development will provide substantial financial relief to grieving families. The group is currently engaged in fundraising efforts, aiming to collect $40,000 for the purchase of land from the Islamic Center.
While one acre of the land will be dedicated to the Islamic Center's cemetery, the remaining area can be utilized for various purposes, such as a soccer field or a health clinic. Younes emphasizes that the cemetery is not solely intended for the deceased but also for the living, highlighting the potential for diverse community initiatives.
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