Latest news with #AbbasMerali
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Cemetery vandals destroy at least 85 Muslim graves
Police have launched an investigation after at least 85 Muslim graves – including those of dozens of babies – were damaged at a cemetery in Hertfordshire. The vandalism was discovered at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery, Watford, in the early hours of Sunday. Dozens of grave markers were destroyed or damaged, all of which were in the Muslim portion of the cemetery. A large number of the damaged graves are believed to be the resting place of babies and young children. Abbas Merali, Conservative councillor for Moor Park and Eastbury, on the Three Rivers district council, shared images of babies' grave markers strewn across the ground. Many were snapped in half or cracked. He said: 'I am devastated to report the distressing news that graves within the Muslim burial section of Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery have been vandalised. 'Reports confirm that plaques on children's graves were destroyed, and other graves were subjected to shameful acts of vandalism. 'These abhorrent actions have caused immense anguish to grieving families and profound hurt across our community. 'My thoughts go out to those families who have been impacted by this barbaric act.' Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson, from the Local Policing Command, said: 'This is an abhorrent incident and one that will understandably spark an emotive reaction in the community. 'We are continuing to work closely with our local community leaders and our partners at Brent Council, which owns the site, to identify those families who have been affected but we appreciate that this will take some time. 'At this stage, we are keeping an open mind as to the nature of this incident and in the coming days we will continue to engage with our Muslim communities to provide support and reassurance. 'We're also working with specialist officers in the constabulary to ensure we remain sensitive and respectful to the needs of the communities involved. 'In addition, specialist officers will be attending Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery to provide crime prevention advice. 'They are also planning to attend other cemeteries and community venues in the area to offer further reassurance and advice.' The force has set up a special operation called Operation Lunate as part of its investigation into who could be responsible. Ch Supt Simpson added: 'Our team of detectives and investigators will continue to work very hard and quickly to ascertain the circumstances of the incident, but we are appealing to anyone who has information to please contact police as soon as possible.' Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery is a multi-faith site that was opened in 1954. No upright memorials are allowed, only approved bronze resin plaques which are set into the ground. The cemetery has a Muslim section set aside to cater for the area's large Muslim population. In 2021, 44.4 per cent of people in Watford described themselves as Christian while 13.0 per cent were Muslim, up from 9.9 per cent the decade before. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Middle East Eye
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Desecration of Muslim graves at UK cemetery condemned as 'Islamophobic attack'
The desecration of Muslim graves at a cemetery near Watford should be treated as an Islamophobic attack, and not just an act of vandalism, a charity has said. Abbas Merali, councillor for Moor Park and Eastbury, reported in a statement on Instagram that graves in the Muslim burial section at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery in Watford were "subjected to shameful acts of vandalism", with grave plaques belonging to children also destroyed. "These abhorrent actions have caused immense anguish to grieving families and profound hurt across our community," Merali said. He said that he had spoken to the Hertfordshire Police who confirmed that the incident is being treated as a "serious and targeted act of vandalism" and that a full investigation is under way. The councillor added that he would be following up with the police and local MP Gagan Mohindra to ensure "no stones are left unturned". New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Wadi Funeral Care, a local Muslim funeral care service, issued a statement calling on Brent Council, which manages the cemetery, to conduct a "thorough investigation" into the attack and to "implement measures to prevent such occurrences in future". "The sanctity of our loved ones' resting places must be preserved," it added. But a Muslim charity has denounced the authorities' response, saying that the Islamophobic nature of the attack is being downplayed. "This is clearly not just an act of vandalism, it is an Islamophobic attack and must be recorded as such," the An-Nisa Society said in a post on X. "We keep speaking out about #Islamophobia in Brent/Harrow & yet it's not taken seriously by authorities - abuse, attacks & discrimination," it added. An Islamophobic graves desecration attack took place in the Muslim part of Carpenders Pk Cemetery yesterday. How come we did not hear about this from @Brent_Council Many of us have family members buried there & we are upset. It is Islamophobic & needs to be recorded as such. 🧵 — An-Nisa Society (@AnNisaSociety) April 13, 2025 An-Nisa reported that in 2023, Brent's mayor, councillor Orleen Hylton, had allegedly "ignored" a Muslim woman being verbally abused by a man on a Harlesden bus, and had failed to intervene or report the incident. Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) Zara Mohammed denounced the attack as "disturbing", "vile" and "Islamophobic". "I can't imagine the pain this will cause to families. I hope the perpetrators are swiftly identified and brought to justice," she said in a post on X. In February, Tell Mama, a UK watchdog that monitors anti-Muslim hate crime, reported that in 2024 it had received almost 6,000 reports of anti-Muslim incidents - over double the figure two years ago. The organisation said the numbers mark the highest in its 12-year history, citing "inflammatory public discourse" and "sensationalist media narratives" as some of the factors driving the spike.
