The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan (SAMK) has called for an end to excessive spending and ostentation at memorial meals held on the seventh day, fortieth day and first anniversary of a person's death. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
The Supreme Mufti criticized some families who hold this ritual no less lavishly than a wedding and, driven by the desire not to fall behind others, fall into debt, even taking out loans. According to him, excessive spending at memorial meals has become more frequent recently.
"Some families hold the memorial meal no worse than a wedding and even take out loans so as not to fall behind others," the Supreme Mufti said.
The Muftiate recalled that setting a lavish table at such a meal is not obligatory, and the purpose of the memorial meal is to read the Quran and offer prayers for the deceased. In this regard, the SAMK adopted the document "Culture of Holding Funeral Feasts." It states that the table should be set modestly and excess spending should not be allowed.