A new BBC series called ‘Being..’ looking religions from birth, marriage and death, in the first episode British Muslim’s it will look at how Islam and how Turkish Cypriot deal with death
Groups of different ethnic origins living in the UK participate in this program every week, providing information about their beliefs or culture. Looking at how Muslim deal with death, from a spiritual and physical activity in the Muslim and Turkish Cypriot community the episode will be airing on BBC on Tuesday evening, 6 April.
The documentary followed as Gülseren İnce’s funeral took place; her daughter Emine and her grandson Kerem shared their sorrows and explained how for Turkish Cypriots the Muslim practice takes place.
UK Turkish Islam Foundation President Erkin Güney, explained how the body is prepared for burial and emphasizing that people come from God and go back to god, said that everyone wanted to contribute and be a part of a Muslim funeral.
Explain that Turkish Cypriot tradition follows three days after the buried pray at the foot of the grave before sunrise Kerem said “It’s very peace just the birds, your ability to comprehend the loss, the memories, the reality all in one.”
Emine said: “They tell us if we stand at the foot of the grave for three days that she actually sees us, it helps you to reconcile with the loss as well, the fact you have to get up at five o’clock in the morning, with your loved ones with you talk about the funny times, the sad times, I feel very privileged and proud to be her daughter…”
Adding “They say if you have a child or mother in the other place that they have open the door for you to you to entre, and I believe she is waiting for us, that we will join, I believe that will happen…”
Speaking to the Londra Gazete, the President of the Cyprus Islamic Society Hüseyin Haşim El Bakayi, stated that it is important that some of the Turkish Cypriots’ beliefs are broadcast on the leading British channel saying “It is a big step for the recognition of the Turkish Cypriots, and the aim of this section is that the Muslim community is a different one. It was to reflect his perspective. Societies belonging to different beliefs are hosted every week. Britain is a rich country of diverse origins and for the first time Turkish Cypriots took part in such a project.”
