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UK tense over defiling of Muslim gravestones
The gravestones in the Handsworth area were smashed and pushed over and were discovered by relatives visiting the Muslim part of the cemetery. Leaflets were also scattered in the cemetery, containing insults against Muslims. The leaflets were attributed to a group called ââ¬ËBlack Nationââ¬â¢.
The incident has generated tension during Eid festivities in an area that is dominated by the Asian community with a substantial component of Muslims.
In late October, riots had broken out involving Asian and Afro-Caribbean youths, sparked by a claim that a 14-year-old black girl had been raped.
Reports say the West Midlands Police are at the scene collecting the leaflets and taking statements from those who found them. Between 35 and 45 gravestones have reportedly been desecrated.
It was not immediately known if ââ¬ËBlack Nationââ¬â¢ was a real group or had been made up.
Khalid Mahmood, MP from Perry Barr, told the BBC: ââ¬ÅThese are disgraceful events, deliberately done to entice people. They are definitely trying to cause more problems particularly on this day when Muslim people are coming to pay their respects.ââ¬Â
He called on Muslims not to react to the vandalism. ââ¬ÅWe canââ¬â¢t point the finger at a single community, individuals have done this but we are not sure who.ââ¬Â
Mahmood said the person responsible must have had some understanding of the Muslim religion to pick the day of Eid to act.
Birmingham City Councillor Len Gregory said: ââ¬ÅWe are all saddened at such senseless vandalism and our immediate concern is to re-establish the headstones in their rightful place and restore peace and tranquillity to the cemetery.ââ¬Â
He said arrangements would be made to put the headstones back in place as quickly as possible and they were contacting all the registered grave owners about the damage.
The gravestones in the Handsworth area were smashed and pushed over and were discovered by relatives visiting the Muslim part of the cemetery. Leaflets were also scattered in the cemetery, containing insults against Muslims. The leaflets were attributed to a group called ââ¬ËBlack Nationââ¬â¢.
The incident has generated tension during Eid festivities in an area that is dominated by the Asian community with a substantial component of Muslims.
In late October, riots had broken out involving Asian and Afro-Caribbean youths, sparked by a claim that a 14-year-old black girl had been raped.
Reports say the West Midlands Police are at the scene collecting the leaflets and taking statements from those who found them. Between 35 and 45 gravestones have reportedly been desecrated.
It was not immediately known if ââ¬ËBlack Nationââ¬â¢ was a real group or had been made up.
Khalid Mahmood, MP from Perry Barr, told the BBC: ââ¬ÅThese are disgraceful events, deliberately done to entice people. They are definitely trying to cause more problems particularly on this day when Muslim people are coming to pay their respects.ââ¬Â
He called on Muslims not to react to the vandalism. ââ¬ÅWe canââ¬â¢t point the finger at a single community, individuals have done this but we are not sure who.ââ¬Â
Mahmood said the person responsible must have had some understanding of the Muslim religion to pick the day of Eid to act.
Birmingham City Councillor Len Gregory said: ââ¬ÅWe are all saddened at such senseless vandalism and our immediate concern is to re-establish the headstones in their rightful place and restore peace and tranquillity to the cemetery.ââ¬Â
He said arrangements would be made to put the headstones back in place as quickly as possible and they were contacting all the registered grave owners about the damage.
