By Justice Minister Ali Sabry
As I walked amongst the graves in Oddamvadi of those who were taken too early, I had time to reflect on how difficult things have been in the last year.
What started off as a distant news story about a virus in another country has become a reality that is still difficult to process at times.
Covid-19 brought with it an era of hardship and loss. For some, the pain of losing a loved one turned into a nightmare when they did not get the solace to perform their final rights. Looking back, this experience seems but a memory. Yet, today is a stark reminder of those times but also an opportunity to be thankful for where we are today.
Thankful for those who stood by their beliefs, for those who listened and made the tough choices despite opposition, for those who didn’t give up and for those who unselfishly gave their lands so their fellow men can have a final resting place in the soil of their motherland.
In in the midst of this tragedy, we have learnt to cherish and respect each other’s faiths, to be compassionate, understanding and inclusive – the burial grounds may be managed by those of one faith, yet it makes no difference or discrimination as to what race, religion or ethnicity you belong to be laid to rest here.
Our time here in this world is too short and too precious to be wasted on anger and hate.
In death we have found the love, compassion and peace that we so desperately need amongst the living.
We were created from the earth, and to the earth we shall return.
