The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed deep concern over the removal of nearly 100 Muslim headstones at Bohemian National Cemetery without prior notice to families.
“We are saddened to hear that improper handling and care of some Muslim headstones by Bohemian Cemetery resulted in their destruction,” said CAIR-Chicago Operations Manager Maggie Slavin. “We can’t imagine the pain these families must feel, and we urge Bohemian Cemetery to work with the Muslim Community Center (MCC) to restore the headstones. We also want to remind Muslim community members whose loved ones may be buried at Bohemian Cemetery to follow MCC’s guidance and not act alone in marking graves to ensure that the markers are appropriately placed and not at risk for removal. We trust MCC to do the right thing and restore the headstones as soon as possible.”
MCC has already begun working with affected families, arranging temporary markers and offering financial assistance for replacement headstones. CAIR-Chicago will continue to monitor the situation and support families in securing a resolution.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
CONTACT:
Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com
Maggie Slavin, Senior Staff Attorney of CAIR-Chicago, 815-590-3991, mslavin@cair.com
Hafsa Haider, Communications Coordinator of CAIR-Chicago, 561-317-7509, hhaider@cair.com
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