Chicago Muslim Families Outraged Over Headstones Found Near Cemetery Dumpster
Aymen, who noticed his father’s grave marker missing earlier this month, expressed his distress upon finding the headstone gone during a visit to Bohemian National Cemetery.
He was directed to a pile of headstones next to a dumpster, many of which belonged to other Muslim families and included scripture, Fox News reported on Saturday.
Aymen was informed that the headstones did not meet cemetery regulations. However, he criticized both the Bohemian National Cemetery and the Muslim Community Center (MCC) for not notifying families before removing the markers.
"There’s going to be many families out there that are actually going to be very upset when they find out their relative’s tombstone was thrown out," Aymen said.
In response, the MCC, which oversees the gravesites, apologized for the situation. The organization explained that it had taken over grave marker orders last year to ensure uniformity and address maintenance and landscaping issues at the cemetery.
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"Having a loved one’s resting place disturbed can be deeply upsetting, and we sincerely apologize for any hurt this may have caused our community," the MCC stated.
The MCC assured the public that it would work with families to resolve the issue and remedy the situation.
The MCC further clarified that in the past, grave markers were either managed directly by the cemetery or brought in by community members without the cemetery’s knowledge or permission, leading to a variety of marker designs and maintenance issues.
Starting in 2023, the MCC took over the responsibility of grave marker orders to ensure a uniform design that lies flat on the ground, minimizing complaints and improving the cemetery's appearance.
The MCC says it is committed to working with affected families for proper reinstallation of the markers and supporting those facing financial difficulties on a case-by-case basis.
Source: Agencies
