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Muslim graves destroyed in city
Dozens of Muslim grave stones have been smashed and pushed over in a cemetery in Handsworth in Birmingham. The desecration was discovered on Friday morning by relatives visiting the Muslim part of the cemetery. Leaflets were also scattered with insults against Muslims, they were attributed to Black Nation. Last month riots involving Asian and black youths took place in nearby Lozells, sparked by a claim that a 14-year-old black girl had been raped. West Midlands Police are at the scene collecting the leaflets and taking statements from those who found them. Between 35 and 45 grave stones had been desecrated, it was reported. The BBC's Phil Mackie, who was at the scene, said the leaflets were roughly photocopied and the messages could refer to the so far unsubstantiated rumour which led to the riots. It is not known if Black Nation is a real group or has been made up. He said that many of the relatives tending the graves were there because of the Muslim festival of Eid. Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood was also at the cemetery. He said: "These 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." He called on Muslim people not to react to the vandalism. "We can't point the finger at a single community, individuals have done this but we are not sure who." He 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 "We 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." He said arrangements would be made to put the headstones back in place as quickly as possible and were contacting all the registered grave owners about the damage. When Jewish graves were desecrated in London's East End it weren't the black community what did it... Posted by: Howard UK 2005-11-04 |
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