Cemetery extension agreed for Muslim burials (From Bucks Free Press)
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High Wycombe Cemetery extension agreed for Muslim burials
7:10am Wednesday 2nd June 2010 in News By Oliver Evans
Cemetery extension agreed for Muslim burials
HIGH Wycombe Cemetery is set to be extended to accommodate Muslims’ requirement that graves face Mecca.
The £150,000 move has been put forward by Wycombe District Council over concerns that there will be no more space within Muslim burial sections from April 2012.
Space was sought after The Church of England refused to allow its land to be used for the burials at the Priory Road site.
A report says this aims to ‘meet the needs of the Muslim community with relation to grave design and orientation so that graves are facing towards Mecca’.
A report says: “Enquiries have been made about deconsecrating land but the diocesan office of the Church of England will not allow this.”
The work will involve terracing to form new burial areas, walls, paths and steps for access. It is expected to provide 15 years worth of Muslim burials.
The report says: “If an extension is not provided, Muslim burials will be integrated with other non Christian burials, leading to problems relating to the different orientation of burials and with allowing graves to be domed in areas that are maintained as lawn sections.
“This latter issue would lead to increased costs for mowing and maintenance, not allow for best usage of space and is likely to lead to negative public reaction.”
It would lead to ‘problems relating to the Muslim requirements for graves to face towards Mecca’.
A full ‘equality impact assessment’ was carried out by the council.
The plan was backed by the council’s High Wycombe Town Committee last night.
Councillor Mahboob Hussain said: “We need another site to be ready for the future. I fully support the proposals.”
Work will begin in October or November if approved by the council’s cabinet. The council has a statutory duty to provide burials.
Mecca is a city in Saudi Arabia. It was the birthplace of both the Prophet Muhammad and the site of pilgrimage for millions of Muslims.
Click the link below for the full council report.
Comments(45)
MCarey
says...
9:28am Wed 2 Jun 10
CokeFan
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9:28am Wed 2 Jun 10
Tony5922
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9:41am Wed 2 Jun 10
sticksandstones
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9:45am Wed 2 Jun 10
Who are the jerks on the council? What will they be offered next? A mosque in the grave yard.
Tony5922
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10:00am Wed 2 Jun 10
mikesmith
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11:24am Wed 2 Jun 10
Tony5922 wrote:In a civic cemetery, why should Muslims be segregated from non-Muslims? The authorities/governme
Most Muslims in the UK are not foreigners, they are British, and if Christians can have a church in the graveyard why can't Muslims. The council serves its constituents, which includes a significant Muslim population. Per person, Christian Brits get a lot more graveyard space and worship places than their fellow Muslim Brits get. They all carry the same passport and pay the same tax. Time to accept religion and nationality are not connected. I know lots of Muslims who have many generations of English heritage, are they no longer or less British because they are now Muslim ?
nt make so much effort to 'de-religionise' (more specifically, 'de-Christianise') practically all of their other services, this too should not be their responsibility. Like churches, if Muslims want their own burial ground subject to their own preferences, they should buy their own land with their own money and run their own special cemetery. It's not a responsibility of taxpayers.
gutterheart
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11:56am Wed 2 Jun 10
MCarey wrote:I agree...after all once your gone, your gone... mind you the woodland burial service in Beaconsfield gets my vote. Much nicer than Wycombe Cemetry.
everyone should be cremated, no more burials
Tony5922
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12:00pm Wed 2 Jun 10
It is very unfortunate that this type of reporting is becoming common and most people who read it do not know the facts and go away thinking their money is being spent on a minority religious group. You will never hear any complaints from the orgainised Christian churches because they get far more money in government grants, subsidies and tax breaks/gifts per person than the muslim, jewish, sikh, hindu, budist or any other religious sector ever will in this country. If your argument is that we take all religion out of the state sector and let each group pay for itself in anything related to religion, I think the Muslims, Hindus, Jews and every other religion is right behind you (except of course the Christians who are the voting majority and will never let that happen because they are the only ones who will not come out better off). Please do the research and you will see this is all fact and not just my opinion.
iranianyouth
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1:19pm Wed 2 Jun 10
wayneo
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1:55pm Wed 2 Jun 10
iranianyouth wrote:They're not trying create racial tension at all, they are merely reporting facts, besides, relegion is not race get that into your skull.
Yet again bucks free press trying to create racial tension within the community. What a cheap story when can you guys face that we live in a multi-ethnic community and respect other peoples views. Anyway its only a few thousand pounds if you guys think thats a lot of money then you guys really want to make Wycombe look like a rubbish town. Towns in Maurtania spend the same amount of money as High Wycombe does.
wayneo
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1:55pm Wed 2 Jun 10
iranianyouth wrote:They're not trying create racial tension at all, they are merely reporting facts, besides, relegion is not race get that into your skull.
Yet again bucks free press trying to create racial tension within the community. What a cheap story when can you guys face that we live in a multi-ethnic community and respect other peoples views. Anyway its only a few thousand pounds if you guys think thats a lot of money then you guys really want to make Wycombe look like a rubbish town. Towns in Maurtania spend the same amount of money as High Wycombe does.
cheesepie
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2:10pm Wed 2 Jun 10
CokeFan wrote:i total agree with you wycombe allways gives in to them. wycombe has gone downhill so much over the ladt 25yrs
Wycome just took another step downhill :-(
iranianyouth
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2:47pm Wed 2 Jun 10
tom.marlow
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3:18pm Wed 2 Jun 10
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Having said that I dont really have a problem with people wanting to be buried facing a particular direction. Its no different from my wanting to be buried under a tree.
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If we are going to provide (and fund) municipal burial facilities then I don't see why peoples different wishes should be respected. We are all paying for it.
OllieNewbury
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3:57pm Wed 2 Jun 10
gutterheart wrote:I agree.
MCarey wrote:I agree...after all once your gone, your gone... mind you the woodland burial service in Beaconsfield gets my vote. Much nicer than Wycombe Cemetry.
everyone should be cremated, no more burials
sidthesexist
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6:13pm Wed 2 Jun 10
iranianyouth wrote:If you had a braincell you would have realised by now that Muslim does not equal race......
Well wayeno look at the right wing views its created clearly it's based on race. It's completely obvious.
Milford12
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6:43pm Wed 2 Jun 10
tigeran
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7:27pm Wed 2 Jun 10
iranianyouth wrote:You make me laugh! From reading other comments left by you in the past, I would have said one of the most RACIST persons with a very large chip on their shoulder on the BFP web site, is YOU!!!
Well wayeno look at the right wing views its created clearly it's based on race. It's completely obvious.
iworld
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8:56pm Wed 2 Jun 10
Tony5922 wrote:It is nice to see that some people have decency and sensitivity. As for other comments posted by readers - it is important that we respect those that have departed and the families that have buried their loved ones there regardless of what religion they are.
Most Muslims in the UK are not foreigners, they are British, and if Christians can have a church in the graveyard why can't Muslims. The council serves its constituents, which includes a significant Muslim population. Per person, Christian Brits get a lot more graveyard space and worship places than their fellow Muslim Brits get. They all carry the same passport and pay the same tax. Time to accept religion and nationality are not connected. I know lots of Muslims who have many generations of English heritage, are they no longer or less British because they are now Muslim ?
I know in Muslim countries they offer the same respect for people of other faiths to bury according to their traditions.
It is a religious requirement that Muslims who are buried must face Mecca. It is the same in every country around the world including Saudi Arabia.
I think the BFP article is okay; obviously some readers may not be aware of the customs and traditions of Muslims. It is nice to learn and understand the views of different of religions, cultures, to help promote better understanding
irec261070
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10:17pm Wed 2 Jun 10
Would the same be done for Christians in a non-Christian country?
NO
just another reason I'm so glad I've left High Wycombe for good
Steve Totteridge Hill
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12:32am Thu 3 Jun 10
I hope they all got one leg longer than the other so thay can stand to pay respect without falling down the hill!
Elmo
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7:41am Thu 3 Jun 10
Elmo
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7:43am Thu 3 Jun 10
demoness
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8:06am Thu 3 Jun 10
irec261070 wrote:Well I am sure that you leaving was a big loss.:)
words cannot be written here for fear of being reported over how disgusted I am to read this story. Would the same be done for Christians in a non-Christian country? NO just another reason I'm so glad I've left High Wycombe for good
Tony5922
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9:18am Thu 3 Jun 10
Kadoogan
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10:35am Thu 3 Jun 10
Stop that. There is no room for facts in this comment thread!
tom.marlow
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12:50pm Thu 3 Jun 10
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In the unlikely event that the occupants are in any state to care which way they are facing, for those for whom its important, they are facing the right way, and for those for whom it doesn't matter... well they will be happy too.
Mrs DaPoint
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1:14pm Thu 3 Jun 10
J B Blackett
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1:56pm Thu 3 Jun 10
Mrs DaPoint wrote:I know certain people who could arrange that for you this very day. But you wouldn't like it , IMO
When the time comes... I'd like to be buried facing upwards.
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Sorry about that ; you be making a good valid point, Mrs DaPoint. Which way is 'facing' if what's left of you is buried horizontally ?
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Does anybody know ( or care ) ?
Tony5922
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2:02pm Thu 3 Jun 10
Take personal preference out of it and we should all follow Mrs DaPoint, but if we are going to allow personal preference we should allow chritians and other religions to choose how they would like to be buried and apply funding equally, which is all the council is doing here. I hope that is the end of the discussion.
frankbutcher
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2:15pm Thu 3 Jun 10
Although I can't see why it needs to face that way really. Do Muslims place their beds in that direction?
J B Blackett
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2:26pm Thu 3 Jun 10
tom.marlow wrote:What about the ones who want to face Polaris or the Crab Nebula ?
Why not point all the graves at Mecca.
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In the unlikely event that the occupants are in any state to care which way they are facing, for those for whom its important, they are facing the right way, and for those for whom it doesn't matter... well they will be happy too.
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What about the those who believe God (Gia) lives inside the Earth and fervently wishes us to look after it far better than we are ?
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What about the millions of atheists or even agnostics who don't even want to go these various 'heavens' on offer by these multitudinous conflicting religions and creeds. Don't they get a choice either ?
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I think what you are suggesting tom.marlow is what used to be called Hobson's Choice. You will never please everybody and some people (allegedly) are totally opposed to ever being pleased about anything on this Earth !
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I suggest (humbly) we 'bury' this argument as appropriate because once again subjects like this seem to cause division, nastiness and accusations of 'bigotry' from each and every direction.
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Regards
l
tom.marlow
says...
4:00pm Thu 3 Jun 10
J B Blackett wrote:No what I am actually suggesting is that apart from the mecca facers, no one else actually cares which direction they are pointing when they recycle their atoms.
tom.marlow wrote: Why not point all the graves at Mecca. . In the unlikely event that the occupants are in any state to care which way they are facing, for those for whom its important, they are facing the right way, and for those for whom it doesn't matter... well they will be happy too.What about the ones who want to face Polaris or the Crab Nebula ? . What about the those who believe God (Gia) lives inside the Earth and fervently wishes us to look after it far better than we are ? . What about the millions of atheists or even agnostics who don't even want to go these various 'heavens' on offer by these multitudinous conflicting religions and creeds. Don't they get a choice either ? . I think what you are suggesting tom.marlow is what used to be called Hobson's Choice. You will never please everybody and some people (allegedly) are totally opposed to ever being pleased about anything on this Earth ! . I suggest (humbly) we 'bury' this argument as appropriate because once again subjects like this seem to cause division, nastiness and accusations of 'bigotry' from each and every direction. . Regards l
.
I may be wrong of course
J B Blackett
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5:07pm Thu 3 Jun 10
tom.marlow wrote:OK I think I understand Tom, but what I was saying there ARE others who Do Care which way they are facing and you may by your suggestion inflicting a never-ending eternal spiritual torment on those poor 'souls'.
J B Blackett wrote:No what I am actually suggesting is that apart from the mecca facers, no one else actually cares which direction they are pointing when they recycle their atoms.
tom.marlow wrote: Why not point all the graves at Mecca. . In the unlikely event that the occupants are in any state to care which way they are facing, for those for whom its important, they are facing the right way, and for those for whom it doesn't matter... well they will be happy too.What about the ones who want to face Polaris or the Crab Nebula ? . What about the those who believe God (Gia) lives inside the Earth and fervently wishes us to look after it far better than we are ? . What about the millions of atheists or even agnostics who don't even want to go these various 'heavens' on offer by these multitudinous conflicting religions and creeds. Don't they get a choice either ? . I think what you are suggesting tom.marlow is what used to be called Hobson's Choice. You will never please everybody and some people (allegedly) are totally opposed to ever being pleased about anything on this Earth ! . I suggest (humbly) we 'bury' this argument as appropriate because once again subjects like this seem to cause division, nastiness and accusations of 'bigotry' from each and every direction. . Regards l
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I may be wrong of course
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That's what I meant by you giving all the other bods apart from the 'Mecca facers' no choice (or as I call it 'Hobson's' ).
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What about asking everybody - like a referendum or something ? Would that be too democratic in this country now-a-days as it would now appear to be totally ruled by autocrats as in the 'good old days' of total obedience and obsequiousness. You know - the ones who say they are right about every aspect of life - especially other people's lives. Rule by a cruel distant aristocracy backed up and supported by very strict religious leaders. Is that where we heading ?
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You're not one of The Autocracy are you ? In which case humbly I conceded all argument. You are absolutely correct and I concur with everything you've written.
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Honestly !
Regards
tom.marlow
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10:33pm Thu 3 Jun 10
J B Blackett
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10:58pm Thu 3 Jun 10
tom.marlow wrote:In that case , you should be buried facing Yeast .
I'm a pastafarian
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Regards
tom.marlow
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2:11pm Fri 4 Jun 10
J B Blackett
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2:44pm Fri 4 Jun 10
aspen g
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3:32pm Fri 4 Jun 10
RESULT!
Good to see the bloggers standing up against Islamophobes and their twisted version of the truth!
Tony, Iranian Youth - nice work lads.
J B Blackett
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5:51pm Fri 4 Jun 10
tom.marlow wrote:The Tagliatelle Cult - do you fancy being one of those ?
The convoluted noodly nature of a pastafarian burial doesnt really have a coherent direction.
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It could be right up your Taglia alley.
J B Blackett
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6:56pm Fri 4 Jun 10
J B Blackett
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7:01pm Fri 4 Jun 10
MCarey
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9:21am Sat 5 Jun 10
Steve Totteridge Hill
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8:20pm Mon 7 Jun 10
What a waste of space...digging holes and putting dead bodies in!
Think of all the ground that could be used to build all those shanty towns some types seem to be building in their back gardens across the UK!
The problem is the council panda to the race card and they get away with it...I got proof if anyone is interested. Cllr. Folley & Wassell did nothing!!!
sidthesexist says...
8:47am Wed 2 Jun 10