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Last year Ahmed and Fatima tried to register Sikander in school. His application was denied because his parents did not have a residency permit. This stopped Sikander from attending school. Two more administrative hurdles have to be dealt with before Sikander can attend school.
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Though small in number, the Syriac-Orthodox community in the Netherlands has a rich history, with its monastery in Glane playing a key role in both the Netherlands and Western Europe. Why did they come? Why did they stay? And with many unable to return to their countries of origin, how do they handle death and burial?
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The monastery in Glane hosts the only cemetery for Syriac-Orthodox members in the Netherlands and neighboring countries. While it offers eternal grave rest, the cemetery will eventually reach capacity. How can this beaddressed? And how can the cemetery remain a place of equality, not a display of wealth?
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While death is often a taboo topic, the funeral director for the Syriac-Orthodox diocese sees the respectful care of the deceased as a profound part of his work. He involves families in washing and dressing their loved ones, while ensuring they are respectfully excluded from the more technical aspects of the process.
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Why was this Islamic cemetery established in the first place? Why is eternal grave rest so important? And what happens to Muslims buried before this cemetery existed, who could not have eternal grave rest? The caretaker explains, with a special focus on Surinamese Muslims who prefer to be buried in the Netherlands.
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Navigating funeral procedures in the Netherlands can be complex, especially for Muslims balancing religious practices with Dutch laws. How are time requirements, burial of fetuses, and the needs of different Muslim groups handled? The caretaker of the Islamic cemetery explains.
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In 2007, Almere opened the first Islamic cemetery in the Netherlands. Funerals rose steadily until the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a surge of Moroccan burials. With the cemetery nearly full, the caretaker shares what happened and the solutions they have in mind.