Replacements Ordered After Muslim Headstones Removed Without Notice at Chicago Cemetery
Earlier this month, families with loved ones buried at Bohemian National Cemetery on Chicago’s Far North Side discovered that headstones had been displaced without warning. On Sunday, the Muslim Community Center (MCC) hosted a town hall meeting to provide answers to the affected community members, Fox 32 reported on Sunday.
The unexpected removal of headstones shocked families, who were unaware that their relatives’ markers did not meet current regulations. "It’s a difficult situation. It’s a very sensitive situation," said Mustafa Chaudhry.
The section of Bohemian National Cemetery near Bryn Mawr Avenue and Pulaski Road is reserved for the MCC. "MCC’s role is limited to the processing request," said Amjad Quadri, chairman of the MCC Public Relations Committee. "I want it also to be very clear, the responsibility of the grounds falls on the Bohemian Cemetery."
In recent weeks, families learned that approximately 100 grave markers and other mementos had been removed. Cemetery officials stated that the headstones were placed by families "against the rules and regulations of Bohemian National Cemetery and The Muslim Community Center."
The markers must meet specific requirements for uniformity and ease of groundskeeping, but many families were not aware of these regulations.
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Last week, Chaudhry visited the cemetery and found his father’s grave among those affected. "A lot of them were broken. In my case, my father’s headstone was also missing, so I couldn’t locate it," he said. "It’s emotional, so we’re all just trying to get to the bottom of what happened."
Sunday marked five years since Chaudhry’s father, Mohammad, passed away. This year, part of the day was spent working to replace his gravestone. "With a sensitive issue like this, you need some assistance, some help, who to turn to," Chaudhry added.
By Sunday afternoon, many headstones previously stored at the cemetery had been picked up by family members, though some remain unclaimed.
MCC officials stated they would have notified families if they had received proper notice. "MCC is not involved in the operations and installations or removing of the grave markers," said Quadri. "We deeply regret the distress that this has caused."
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After the meeting, MCC officials assisted families in ordering replacements. The MCC plans to cover the costs of new headstones for those struggling financially on a case-by-case basis. While waiting for permanent replacements, the MCC has ordered temporary grave markers, which they hope to place within the next two weeks.
Source: Agencies
