Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1476751
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 MARCH 2022 OPINION 3 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 AUGUST 2022 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications Malta crematoria ALTHOUGH a law allowing crema- tion was passed in Malta Parliament in May 2019, a functioning cremato- rium is still nowhere in sight. According to some estimates it might be 2025 or 2026 when a work- ing crematorium would be available to the public for cremation of their loved ones. Malta, not having a mechanism for the cremation of deceased Hindus, is forcing the community to bury their loved ones in contradiction of their long-held beliefs that burial hindered soul's journey. The Malta government should subsidise cremations abroad till proper crematorium is built and available for usage in Malta. Cremation abroad reportedly comes to around €5,000, but added options can raise the cost. Many non-Hindus in Malta now reportedly also prefer cremation over burial. Pet cremation, however, is reportedly available in Malta. If the government was presently unable to offer subsidy for crema- tions abroad, then in the meantime, Hindus should be allowed to cremate their deceased on traditional open pyres in Malta. Malta should show some maturity and be more responsive to the hurt feelings of its hard-working, harmo- nious and peaceful Hindu commu- nity; which has been in the country since the 1800s and has made a lot of contributions to the nation and society. Cremation is a pre-BCE tradition prescribed in ancient Hindu texts. Cremation signifies spiritual release, helps severe ties to earthly life and gives momentum to the soul for its continuing spiritual journey. World's oldest extant scripture, Rig-Veda, told us: Agni, set him free again to go to the fathers. It is simply heartbreaking for the community to perform something in clear violation of their faith. Being able to follow one's faith traditions was a fundamental human right. Funeral rites/ceremonies are one of the main samskaras (sacraments) of Hindu life. In majority cases, Hindus were cremated, except infants and ascet- ics. After some ancient rituals at the cremation, remains (bones/ashes) are ceremoniously immersed into holy river Ganga or other bodies of water, helping in the liberation of the de- ceased. In Hinduism, death does not mark the end of existence. Malta should follow its own consti- tution, which stated: "All persons in Malta shall have full freedom of con- science and enjoy the free exercise of their respective mode of religious worship". Dr Christopher Fearne and Dr Mir- iam Dalli, health and environment ministers respectively, should speed up the crematorium process so that Hindus can send off their loved ones with proper rituals-traditions-cus- toms. As an interfaith gesture, Charles Scicluna, Roman Catholic Archbish- op of Malta; and Mario Grech, Ro- man Catholic Cardinal from Malta, should come out in the support of Hindu brothers and sisters on this issue. As a dominating majority in Malta, Catholics also have a moral responsibility to take care of minor- ity brothers/sisters from different faith backgrounds, and should thus also seek equal treatment for all. Equality is the fundamental tenet of Judeo-Christian faith, of which Ca- tholicism was a significant part. Rajan Zed President, Universal Society of Hinduism