Muslim cemetery

The Mamilla Cemetery is an ancient Muslim cemetery, and the largest in Jerusalem.
Historical sources –some from as early as the 11th century – recount its great
significance. Evidence of burials from the Mamluk period from the 13th-20th century
has been discovered at the site. Leaders, high administration officials, intellectuals,
the wealthy and notables of the Muslim religion as well as commoners were all buried
here. Mamilla also has an ancient water system that was used by the residents of the
city throughout the different periods. Urban development over the last century has
had a great impact the cemetery, and all that remains of it is a 20-dunam area (20,000m2), surrounding the Mamilla Pool. The remains of the site and the stories of those
who were buried have much to teach about Jerusalem’s society and its residents, from
the Middle Ages to this day

Este texto analiza la que ha sido una de las reivindicaciones más antiguas de la comunidad musulmana de la Granada contemporánea en la vida pública local: la rehabilitación y dignificación del cementerio islámico, construido al finalizar la Guerra Civil para enterrar a los caídos de la conocida como «Guardia Mora» del bando rebelde nacional; además, da cuenta también del devenir y desarrollo en la ciudad de la propia confesión musulmana y de su heterogeneidad, desde los últimos treinta años hasta la actualidad, inserta en un contexto de pluralidad religiosa. El caso, a veces conflictivo, de La Rauda de Granada, inaugurada oficialmente en enero de 2009 en virtud de un convenio municipal y la participación del Gobierno central, sirve también de marco para explicar y analizar los procesos de negociación y reivindicación del cumplimiento del derecho a la libertad religiosa que protagonizan las confesiones religiosas no católicas en el espacio público de nuestras ciudades. En él, además, se (des)encuentran dos concepciones sobre la gestión de la diversidad religiosa: la de «monumento funerario» inserto en el perímetro de la Alhambra y el Generalife declarado Bien de Interés Cultural; y la de «cementerio islámico» en uso y, por tanto, de lugar de culto.

It is clearly that, these Muslim cemeteries lacks of funeral facility and therefore burial methods that adheres to the old practices of the Muslims are greatly affected which has caused delays in the burial process and cemeteries; became unfavorable or unresponsive to quickly cater or serve the target Muslim community. In addition, the said practices are not conforming the sanitary code of the Philippines that may cause any health issues among living. Mr. Abdulla from an Atlantic City funeral director stated that, “the law of the land and the law of Allah are in accord”. (Bill, 1997) This means that the ideal cemetery for Muslim communities must integrate its own essential facilities to conform any government law such as sanitary code and health rules that concern with natural and built environment, which also accord to (“sharia”) Islamic law.

The Mamilla Cemetery is an ancient Muslim cemetery, and the largest in Jerusalem. Historical sources –some from as early as the 11th century – recount its great significance. Evidence of burials from the Mamluk period from the 13th-20th century has been discovered at the site. Leaders, high administration officials, intellectuals, the wealthy and notables of the Muslim religion as well as commoners were all buried
here. Mamilla also has an ancient water system that was used by the residents of the city throughout the different periods. Urban development over the last century has had a great impact the cemetery, and all that remains of it is a 20-dunam area (20,000 m2), surrounding the Mamilla Pool. The remains of the site and the stories of those who were buried have much to teach about Jerusalem’s society and its residents, from the Middle Ages to this day.