The Masjid Ul Hilal in Saweni, Lautoka, is offering free funeral services to underprivileged families for conducting the last rites of their loved ones.
This initiative has been made possible through a donation from several New Zealand families who purchased a funeral van to provide free transportation.
According to Sirajul Islam Trust president Mohammed Sadiq, the vehicle cost $35,000.
“They acquired the vehicle, which is equipped with a bed to transport the body from the hospital to the home and then to the cemetery,” he said.
“This service will be available free of charge to community members for their loved ones. They only need to contact us, and we will arrange everything.”
Mr. Sadiq mentioned that this effort was part of his mother’s vision.
“The late Karisha Bibi aspired to include this in collaboration with the Saweni Mosque, recognized as the largest in the South Pacific. Opened in 2019, it accommodates more than 4,000 worshippers at a time.”
He further stated that the three-storey building, which cost approximately $1.5 million, was constructed at a strategic location to support poor families who could not travel far for prayers.
Community member Hafiz Rahman praised the trustee and the donors for their commendable initiative.
“This is a wonderful humanitarian effort to support the community, allowing bereaved families to pay their last respects in a dignified manner,” he said.