MELAKA: The task of managing over 100 bodies of Covid-19 victims since last year has never been a burden for Hasnul Hussien, 52, who considers it a responsibility to fulfil the demands of fard kifayah (obligation).

       As the Covid-19 funeral manager at Melaka Hospital, he was not tired of the job despite often finding himself drenched in sweat due to wearing personal protective equipment in narrow spaces under intense heat.

       Hasnul said handling the remains of those who succumbed to Covid-19 was quite challenging as it was different from other funeral management processes.

       It involves the process of tayammum (dry cleaning of the remains and ablution with clean earth) and funeral prayers until the remains are put in a van to be taken to the cemetery, he said.

       “My team and I would be on duty in the early mornings, and if needed, we would manage the remains in the evenings as well.

       “As long as the work is considered an act of worship, I have never felt worried about getting infected with the virus because we follow the set standard operating procedures,” he said when met by reporters here yesterday.

       Earlier, he received the Abu Thalhah Award during the state-level Maulidur Rasul 1443H Special Award Presentation Ceremony at the Al-Azim Mosque Auditorium, Bukit Palah.

       The awards for various categories of contributions and services were presented by Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Melaka Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam. Also present was Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.

       Hasnul said since September, the number of bodies he managed daily had decreased compared to the previous months.

       “From July to August, sometimes the number of remains that needed managing reached 15 a day.

       “The situation is getting better now with only one or two remains a day,” he added. — Bernama