Woman in Sale holds Moroccan funeral for deceased cat
In the city of Salé, a woman has stirred up a heated debate by organizing an elaborate Moroccan-style funeral for her deceased pet cat. Video footage of the event, featuring a burial accompanied by Islamic scripture recitations typically reserved for human burials, has gone viral on social media platforms across the North African nation.
The unidentified woman is seen somberly overseeing the cat's burial, while a speaker recites verses from the Quran. The video has triggered passionate reactions from Moroccans, with many arguing that such an extravagant farewell is excessive for an animal and clashes with Islamic burial traditions.
"I was shocked to see someone burying a cat like a human being. This is taking things too far," expressed Twitter user @MoroccoManiax. However, some have defended the woman's actions, viewing them as an expression of profound grief.
Religious leaders have also entered the discourse. Prominent imam Abdelali Al-Guenaoui stated that the elaborate ceremony "diminishes the value and meaning of Muslim funerals."
The incident has ignited a fervent debate surrounding religious customs and broader cultural attitudes towards animals in the country. The woman's decision to provide her feline companion with a ceremonious departure similar to that of devout Muslims has exposed divisions within Moroccan society itself.