This week, the Jamiatul Ulama South Africa (JUSA) informed residents in the Gauteng region that there was a lack of capacity for burials at the Avalon Cemetery. This meant that burials would be done at the Olifantsvlei Cemetery, but re-burials would continue to be allowed at the Avalon Cemetery.

However, the Olifantsvlei Cemetery is facing a lack of wudhu and salah facilities, and security needs to be beefed up.

Amir, Mufti M A Bulbulia, at JUSA, encouraged the community to perform salah at suitable facilities in Lenasia before burial at Olifantsvlei Cemetery. With prior arrangements, the Nurul Islam Masjid courtyard or parking area has been made available for janazaah salah.

JUSA will also keep the community informed should other venues become available.

The current situation highlights to the Muslim Ummah, especially in Lenasia, the role of the Avalon Cemetery.

Importantly, it also allows us to focus on the cemetery's history. Dr Ismail Vadi reflected on this aspect recently in an article he penned titled "Apartheid Burials – Muslim Cemeteries in Johannesburg", which contained a brief history of the cemeteries in the greater Johannesburg area.

He joined Hafidh Ebrahim Moosa on his show "Under the Radar" to explore the ideas and suggestions he covered in the article.