Faith different, last rites with same hands

A team of volunteers of Quantum Foundation take the responsibility of the last rites of the Covid-19 victims in Pabna, setting a unique example of dedication and courage during the pandemic.

In last one month, a 12-member team of the foundation arranged funeral of seven Muslims, one Hindu and one Christian, who died with Covid-19 or its symptoms when their family members and community people shied away from the job.

A female nursing student of Khwaza Eunus Ali Nursing College in Sirajganj's Enayetpur died with Covid-19 at Khwaza Eunus Ali Medical College Hospital on June 8.

Photo: Star

When the body reached her home at Chandva village in Pabna's Atghoria upazila, nobody dared to come forward for her funeral.

A team of Quantum Foundation reached the spot and buried her in the village graveyard with religious rites.

"When locals created obstacle to burying her, the volunteers of Quantum Foundation did it. No word is enough to thank them," said Saidul Islam, uncle of the deceased.

A Christian resident of Pabna Baptist Mission house died with fever, cough, respiratory problem and other symptoms of Covid-19 on June 11.

"The death panicked the community people. At one stage we informed Quantum Foundation and they arranged burying him in the Christian graveyard in Pabna town, following Christian rituals," said Kalit Talukder, president of graveyard committee.

Photo: Star

The volunteers took the body of a Hindu, who died at Pabna Medical College Hospital on Sunday night with the symptom of Covid-19, to Mohashoshan (crematorium) in Pabna the next day for burning the body.

"It is the time to be more human during the Covid-19 pandemic. But most people are too afraid to reach those who die with the disease or its symptoms," said Md Towhidul Islam, local team leader of Quantum Foundation.

​"Our team arranges the burial or burning of the bodies, following religious rites. Twelve people including two female members of the foundation are working in Pabna for arranging with honour the last rites of Covid-19 victims," he said.

Talking with The Daily Star, Pabna Deputy Commissioner Kabir Mahamud said, "Due to the lack of required manpower, the local administration often finds it difficult to manage the Covid-19 victims' funeral. During this crisis period, Quantum Foundation team is doing a great humanitarian job and we are helping them in the work."