Visitors to Shiregreen Cemetery were shocked on Friday (August 14) when they found that recently-installed dua (prayer) signs had been daubed with black paint.

The signs feature Islamic prayers and were quickly cleaned up by the council the same day.

“We would like to sincerely thank Sheffield City Council and the Bereavement Services Team for their prompt action regarding the vandalized dua sign at Shiregreen Cemetery,” said the South Yorkshire Janazah Announcement page on Facebook.

“We are pleased to confirm that the damaged sign have now been cleaned and restored. We greatly appreciate the team taking the matter seriously and acting so quickly to address the issue.

“These prayer sign are important to families and the wider Muslim community, providing a meaningful reminder of faith and respect for those who have passed away. We are grateful for the council’s support, understanding and commitment to maintaining the dignity of the cemetery.”

The group, which announces funeral plans or Muslims across the county, said the signs were there to provide comfort to visitors.

They added: “It is deeply upsetting to see this kind of behavior, particularly as similar incidents of vandalism have unfortunately been reported in Muslim sections of cemeteries in different parts of the UK.

“These signs were installed as a reminder of faith, respect and remembrance, providing comfort to those visiting the graves of their loved ones.

“Deliberate damage to religious signs, graves or cemetery property is completely unacceptable.”

Police are investigating the matter and said officers will increase patrols in the area as a result.

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A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “We are aware of a report of vandalism to an Islamic prayer sign at Shiregreen Cemetery in Sheffield.

“An investigation has been launched and neighborhood officers will be carrying out patrols in the local area.

“If you have any concerns, please speak to our officers while they are in the area.”

Shiregreen councillor Dawn Dale said: “I was very sorry to hear that a prayer sign at Shiregreen Cemetery was vandalized shortly after it was installed.

“The sign forms part of a series of improvements developed by Sheffield City Council in collaboration with the Sheffield Federation of Mosques, following community engagement through the ongoing Muslim Burial Service Review. The signs are intended to be a small but meaningful improvement for people using the Muslim burial section of Shiregreen Cemetery.

“I am pleased that the paint has now been removed from the sign and that it has been restored.

“The incident has been reported to South Yorkshire Police, and the council will provide any further updates where appropriate.

“This sort of vandalism is taken seriously, and I understand the concern it may cause within the local Muslim community. Everyone who is laid to rest in our cemeteries, whatever their faith or whether they had none, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

“Cemeteries are places of remembrance, reflection and peace, and there is no place for vandalism or behavior that causes distress or intimidation. Incidents like this will not be tolerated.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call 101, quoting incident number 639 of August 14, 2026.

Source: The Star