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LONDON: A British bereavement charity is ready to renew a sequence of workshops subsequent month to show younger individuals the Islamic observe of washing and shrouding a useless physique, following a rise in demand after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supporting Humanity, which is predicated in London and likewise supplies psychological well being help for minority communities, launched the ghusl workshops in February. In the previous couple of months it has seen an curiosity from Muslim communities and universities throughout Britain.

“Supporting Humanity has been operating some ghusl workshops for the previous few months. They principally are washing and shrouding of the physique in an Islamic method, and we have now been instructing females from throughout the world, and extra broader throughout London, about how to do that process for household and buddies and change into volunteers themselves round it,” Sumaiya Khoda, trustee at Supporting Humanity, instructed Arab Information.

In Islam, the preparation for the burial ought to happen as quickly as potential after loss of life. The physique is washed after which wrapped in a clear and perfumed white shroud, whereas the hair is combed and, if feminine, braided. Often, the family members of the deceased are concerned within the process together with an skilled information.

“Though we initially anticipated solely doing three, as a result of it’s such a preferred demand we’re truly going to proceed with operating these and trying to provide them extra nationally, as a result of we’re getting attain out for individuals to show the observe throughout England,” Khoda added.

She mentioned the charity was trying to broaden the initiative to younger males as nicely.

“Surprisingly, it’s change into more and more fashionable. So most people coming to them is coming via phrase of mouth, as a result of individuals are going away feeling fairly enlightened with the data and understanding, (and) breaking myths that they thought had been round it,” Khoda mentioned.

“We do help anyone from any group that wishes help with the burial course of, and we do have engagement with the coroners … however by way of the burial itself, we’re adhering to Islamic rules for burial,” Khoda mentioned.

She added that with regards to the burial process, there are restricted distinctions made between the totally different casts of Sunni and Shiite, however the workshops had been following the Sunni technique of burial.

Beforehand, the aged ladies within the Muslim group used to tackle this duty. Nevertheless throughout the pandemic individuals over 60, these with continual situations, or these thought of excessive danger needed to shield themselves, and so they struggled to search out youthful females who had been in a position to tackle the duty, mentioned Tahreem Noor, head of operations and communications at Supporting Humanity.

“We have to educate individuals how you can do it, particularly the youth, we have to present them that it’s an necessary a part of our tradition, our faith, and we have to market it as one thing that’s rewarding, elevating. It liberates you as a Muslim who goes right into a wash and shroud room to clean a physique, as a result of you have got simply ready that physique to satisfy Allah and that’s the most treasured a part of that particular person’s journey,” she mentioned.

“We expect serving to them all through their life could be, whereas it’s not, it’s truly the tip of their life, the place you’ve actually handled them with utmost respect, you’ve handled that feminine physique with dignity, you’ve given them the modesty that they’ve all the time preserved all through their life, and also you comply with the Sunnah (manner of the Prophet Muhammad),” Noor added.

She mentioned the aim of the workshops was additionally to destigmatize the myths that include washing and shrouding, and lift consciousness on a extra nationwide scale, including that the subsequent set of workshops, that are held on a month-to-month foundation, will recommence on Sept. 25.

Salma Patel, lead facilitator on the ghusl workshop, mentioned she was approached throughout the pandemic to assist wash and shroud and within the final three years has completed hundreds of ghusls and gained huge expertise.

She instructed the attendees on private protecting gear, how they need to be dressed, have their hair lined, and to have carried out ablution earlier than starting the method.

“We aren’t to see any a part of their physique aside from their face, palms and ft, and the best way that we’ve obtained to clean them, similar to we usually would wash ourselves, washing all of the non-public components may be very, crucial. So we be sure all that’s clear, after which how we’ve obtained to dry them,” Patel mentioned.

She additionally handled some myths relating to the method of embalming the physique whether it is to be transported to a different nation. It’s forbidden in Islam to have the physique meant for transport to be drained of blood after which full of an alcohol-based substance.

She answered questions on whether or not hair, eye and nail extensions needs to be eliminated, or any synthetic supplies hooked up to the physique. This needs to be handled fastidiously because the deceased particular person feels ache “70 or 100 instances extra.” She additionally tackled a fable on whether or not females can carry out the method whereas on their menstrual cycle.

“I’ve most of them coming as much as me saying it’s sensible, as a result of there’s a variety of issues that they didn’t know, there was a variety of myths. Mainly I’ve cleared the myths particularly, so I believe everyone has been actually glad,” Patel added.