On Tuesday, October 8, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) will participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for Al Maghfirah Cemetery after 10 years of delays due to land-use discrimination and hate crime attacks.
Almost a decade after the land was purchased, and following a legal battle and multiple hate-fueled attacks on the cemetery and its facilities—resulting in over $200,000 in damages—this long-awaited project is finally moving forward. Al Maghfirah Cemetery will be the largest and only Muslim-exclusive cemetery in the state, designed to serve the Muslim community in the area for the next 100 years.
WHAT: Groundbreaking Ceremony for Al Maghfirah Cemetery
WHEN: Tuesday, October 8th, 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Al Maghfirah Cemetery, 1120 220th St W, Farmington, MN 55024
CONTACT: Osman Ahmed, CAIR-MN Director of Advocacy, 612-459-0334, o-ahmed@cair.com
Jaylani Hussein, CAIR-MN Executive Director, 612-406-0070, jhussein@cair.com
Background:
2014 – Purchase and Initial Application:
The Al Maghfirah Cemetery Association purchased a 72-acre property in Castle Rock Township, Minnesota, intending to establish a Muslim cemetery. In August 2014, the Castle Rock Township Board rejected the initial application for a conditional use permit, citing concerns about potential tax revenue loss and the exclusion of non-Muslims from burial.
MPR News
2015 – Legal Action:
Following the rejection, the cemetery association filed a lawsuit, alleging religious discrimination. In addition to the lawsuit, the township passed a zoning change to further block the cemetery.
MPR News
2016 – Court Victory:
In February 2016, a Dakota County judge ruled that the township’s decision was “arbitrary and capricious” and ordered the township to issue a conditional use permit, allowing the cemetery to proceed.
MPR News
2017 – Vandalism Incident:
In August 2017, the cemetery was vandalized with swastikas and messages like “Leave, you R dead” spray-painted on the property. CAIR-MN called for authorities to investigate the incident as a hate crime.
MPR News
2021 – Second Vandalism Attack:
In October 2021, the cemetery faced another act of vandalism, compounding concerns of anti-Muslim sentiment. The community came together to address the damage.
MPR News
2022 – Final Approval:
After years of resistance and legal battles, Castle Rock Township granted a conditional use permit in June 2022. This approval allowed the cemetery to include facilities for Ghusl (ritual washing) and prayer rooms, enabling the full observance of Islamic funeral rites.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: Osman Ahmed, Director of Advocacy, CAIR-MN, Tel: (612) 459-0334, Email: o-ahmed@cair.com Suleiman Adan, Deputy Director, CAIR-MN, (612) 406-7183, sadan@cair.com; Jaylani Hussein, Executive Director, CAIR-MN, Tel: (612) 406-0070, Email: jhussein@cair.com