AL AIN // Non-Muslims will soon be able to register online to be buried at Al Ain's first cemetery for those of other faiths.
Any non-Muslim resident of Abu Dhabi emirate will be allowed to be buried or cremated at the 4,000 square metre Al Foah site for free.
The cemetery, developed by the Al Ain Municipality, was scheduled to open early last year but is now expected to open in November. The site has taken five years to develop at a cost of Dh16 million (US$4.3m).
Jassim al Qasimi, the municipality's head of funeral services, yesterday announced the registry website, which will include an archive of all previous burials at Al Foah.
"We have made the service free of charge just as Muslim burial in Al Ain is free," he said. "Through this we would like to show tolerance for other religions."
A crematorium, graveyard, church building and waiting rooms will be available at the site, catering to all different religious ceremonies.
The Hindu temple in Bur Dubai is for now the only place in the country licensed for cremation.
"We have spent a long time going to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah municipality to learn from others about the most modern and highest international standards for burials for all non-Muslims," Mr al Qasimi said.
osalem@thenational.ae
