Since the publishing of this editorial, unconfirmed reports state that the NTC in Libya buried Mu’ammar Al-Qadhafi, 1 of his sons and a close confidant in secret graves in the desert.
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http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2011/10/24/opinion/doc4ea5ad03dcd10116579262.txt?viewmode=fullstory
Editorial: Immoral to not bury Gaddafi as Islam faith requires
Published: Monday, October 24, 2011
When someone of the Islamic faith dies, it is tradition to bury that person the day of death and, if not possible that day, burial is required by sundown of the next day.
The ghastly show where thousands have passed the decomposing body of Muammar Gaddafi and his son, Mo’tassim, in a meat locker four days after their assassinations is an insult to all souls, a local Islamic leader says.
“It is traditional in Islamic teachings no matter how vile a person is they are to be given their day in court,” said Dawud Walid, the executive director of the Council of American-Islamic Relations of Southfield.
He was referring to how mobs in Libya grabbed a wounded Gadaffi and instead of taking him to hospital for treatment summarily killed him with a bullet to the head, according to an autopsy.
“The rebels aren’t concerned about Islamic tradition,” added Walid. “Otherwise, they wouldn’t have shot him when he needed medical care and pleaded for mercy.”
Gaddafi and his son’s body are on display in Misrata, casting a shadow over the nation he ruled for 42 years ago. His rule was defined by bloodshed and repression.
No clear plan for Gaddafi’s burial suggests there is justification for fears of a decent into leadership turmoil and armed fighting in Libya.
One man said he brought his children to see Gaddafi’s body “because this is a chance to see history. We want to see this arrogant person as a lifeless body.”
But Walid suggested this was spiritually wrong.
“(Islamic) tradition says an individual should be buried as soon as possible after death,” he said. Islam holds that a deceased person is supposed to be given respect regardless of their faith traditions.
Walid also said it was disrespectful when Libyans celebrated Gaddafi’s death as was the “party-like” atmosphere in New York City when bin Laden’s slaying was confirmed.
One significant step toward political stability in Libya would be the immediate burial of Gaddafi and his son.
