Muslims graves desecrated in Manchester cemetery

The Manchester Evening News and ITV News both report on the desecration of Muslim gravestones at the Chadderton cemetery in Manchester.

A loved one visiting the resting place of a family member raised the alarm on Friday. Police were called to the cemetery to investigate after a number of graves in the Muslim section had been vandalised.

According to the local paper, “Wooden grave markers and headstones were uprooted from four adjoining graves, one of which had a brass plaque ripped from the headstone itself.

“A further two large floral tributes on other graves were smashed, trampled on and the flowers scattered across the other, while flowers on up to four other graves were also kicked over. There was also some evidence to suggest someone had walked directly over a recent grave.”

In a statement seeking witnesses and any information about the culprits, Police Sergeant Jon Martin of Greater Manchester Police said: “The exact motive for this heinous and senseless vandalism is unclear, but given that only the Muslim section of the cemetery was targeted it has to be treated as being racially motivated.

“That makes this vandalism even more sickening, as the culprits have singled out the resting places of those who have lost their lives purely because of their religion.

“This is not just wanton racism but the deliberate, calculating and cruel act of desecrating the memories of Muslims who are buried at the cemetery.

“The distress this has caused to the families who have loved ones buried here is immeasurable. It is not just the vandalism itself, which can be repaired, but the thought of someone trashing what should be a place of sanctity and tranquillity for those who have lost their lives purely because of their religion.

“We need to find the culprits, who may very well live the local area, so I am appealing to the community for help in identifying them. If you suspect who may be involved then please call us.

“I would also ask people to search their consciences and if you know who is responsible, do the right thing and call us. How would you feel if it was your loved one’s grave that was vandalised in this way? Think of the anguish you would feel and imagine how the victims are feeling right now. So please, if you do know anything then call us.”

There have been a number of occasions in Manchester involving the desecration of Muslim gravestones with the Southern Cemetery recording three separate incidents of vandalism in the space of just three months.