Chungju Cemetery

Chungju Muslim Cemetery
Details
Established28 June 2004(complete)
August 2004(opened)
Location
84 Wapyeong 2-gil, Wapyeong 2-gil, Angseong-myeon, Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea
Size1,150 pyeong (approx. 3,800 m²)
Korean name
Hangul
충주 무슬림 공동묘지
Hanja
忠州 무슬림 共同墓地
RRChungju Museullim gongdongmyoji
MRCh'ungju Musŭllim kongdongmyoji

The Chungju Muslim Cemetery (Korean: 충주 무슬림 공동묘지) is the first Muslim cemetery in the South Korea established specifically for observant Muslims. It is located within Jindallae Memorial Park in Angseong-myeon, Chungju, North Chungcheong Province.[1]

History

The need for a Muslim cemetery in South Korea had long been expressed by the local Muslim community. Before the establishment of the Chungju site, Muslims in Korea faced difficulties conducting burials according to their religious laws, as most Korean cemeteries practiced cremation, which is not permitted under islamic law.[2][3]

Efforts to create a dedicated Muslim burial site began in the early 2000s under the leadership of the Korea Muslim Federation (KMF). Financial challenges initially slowed progress until 2002, when then the Abdul Razak Abdul Ghani expressed interest in the project. Through his diplomatic support, the Qatari government pledged financial assistance, contributing approximately US$500,000 to the cemetery's development.[4]

Construction of the Chungju Muslim Cemetery began in early 2004, and the site was completed on June 28, 2004 (Islamic calendar date:10 Jumada al-Awwal 1425). A dedication ceremony followed shortly after, attended by representatives from the Qatari Embassy, KMF Chairperson Son Ju-young, and officials of Jindallae Memorial Park.[5]

Development

The cemetery was built on a plot measuring 1,150 pyeong (approx. 3,800 sq.meters ), located within the Jindallae Memorial Park complex in Angseong-myeon, Chungju.[4] The site follows Islamic funeral procedures, including:

  • Burials oriented toward the Qibla (the direction of Mecca).
  • Earth burial rather than cremation.
  • Simple gravestones without elaborate decoration.
  • Individual burial plots in keeping with Islamic modesty traditions.

According to the KMF, the cemetery aimed to alleviate the significant financial burden of burial on low-income Muslims, as private graves or imported funeral services were previously unaffordable for many Koreans of the Islamic faith.[4][2]

The cemetery land is under a long-term lease agreement in accordance with South Korea's Cemetery and Burial Law. Under this regulation, religious burial grounds in South Korea are leased for 60 years, renewable upon expiration.[6] The Korea Muslim Federation manages the lease in cooperation with Chungju City and Jindallae Memorial Park management systems.[7]

This arrangement ensures that the cemetery remains available for Islamic burials but does not transfer permanent ownership to any organization. Renewal discussions are expected to take place around 2066.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Country's First Muslim Cemetery to be Established in North Chungchong Province". Pluralism Project, Harvard University. 11 July 2004. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  2. ^ a b Jeong, Yu-jin (11 July 2004). "국내 첫 '이슬람(모슬렘)' 묘지 생겼다". Kyunghyang Shinmun. Archived from the original on 9 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  3. ^ 이현정 (9 November 2015). "More Koreans cremated". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "충주 진달래 메모리얼 파크 내 무슬림 묘원 조성 배경". Maeil Kyungje. 11 July 2004. Retrieved 22 October 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. ^ "충주 무슬림 묘지, 종교공존의 상징으로". Chungcheong Domin Ilbo. October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. ^ "집단묘지 사용 60년으로 제한 ▊장묘법 개정안 내용 - 매일경제". 매일경제 (in Korean). 26 November 1998. Retrieved 23 October 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. ^ INSAMER. "South Korean Muslims - İnsamer - İnsamer". INSAMER (in Turkish). The Rising Interest in Islam in the Country. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 23 October 2025. The lack of a cemetery belonging to Muslims has been one of the problems encountered by Muslim people in the country. It was a major problem that Muslims did not have even one cemetery due to economic reasons, whereas Christians had cemetery areas for themselves. In 2002, the Qatar government, under the initiative of the ambassador of Qatar, provided financial support for the allocation of a cemetery area for Muslims in Korea. The KMF purchased an area of 3,800 square meters in Choongju province and created a cemetery in 2006. However, according to the laws of South Korea, this cemetery area allocated is rented only for 60 years, therefore it will be necessary to clean this area or burn the bones 60 years later in 2066. This implementation is not specific to Muslims; it is applicable to believers of other religions as well. The KMF is currently carrying out works to find a permanent place.

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