AMSTERDAM: A 12-MEMBER team led by Putra Mosque chief imam Abdul Manaf Mat is on standby here to receive the bodies of Malaysian Muslims on board Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 once the identification process is concluded.

The Jakim-led (Islamic Development Department) team includes two female officers to handle the bodies of women passengers who died in the downed plane on July 17.

A facility has been identified for the bodies to be bathed and shrouded before they are transported home.

Team coordinator Mohd Ajib Ismail said they would make a final inspection of the bodies before their coffins were sealed and flown back to Malaysia.

Addressing the hopes and wishes of families of the victims to have a last look at their loved ones, Ajib said that would be decided on later.

Of the 43 Malaysians on board the flight, 21 were Muslims, including 10 of the 15 crew members.

There were 12 Chinese and six Indians on board. The others were three Sikhs and a Sarawakian.

Ajib said the team would also handle the non-Muslim victims.

However, he said their families could make arrangements on how they wanted the bodies to be handled.

A team is on standby to make arrangements for bodies to be cremated here, upon request from the families.

Meanwhile, Manaf said Muslim families should not worry about the religious implications of a delayed funeral.

“Under extenuating circumstances such as this, we need to submit to Him and say our prayers for the victims.

“The team will go all out to make sure that the bodies are well handled.”

-NST