‘Cemetery rules won’t let me honour father properly’
AGRIEVING son says he has been left unable to properly honour his father, due to council regulations.
Dr Mohammed Salim, who is part of the Sufi sect of Islam, has been told he is not allowed to place a holy cloth upon his father’s grave in Denehurst Cemetery, Rochdale.
Rochdale council bosses say they have “some sympathy” with Dr Salim, but say their policy regarding Muslim graves at the site has been developed “with the full participation of the Rochdale Council of Mosques”.
Mohammed was devastated by the death of his father, Mohammed Hussain, 87, on September 7.
Father-of-11 Mohammed, 63, said: “When I buried my dad I wanted to put a cloth on his grave, covered by a plastic sheet to protect it from bad weather.
“Sufi does not allow anything to be put on top of the grave, including grass.
“I have done the same for my mother, and both my grandparents, who are buried in Rochdale Cemetery. Denehurst are objecting, and being awkward. “It is a Sufi tradition. “The council object, saying it’s health and safety - I have pleaded and appealed.”
Mohammed said he asked the council if he could place the cloth on the grave, but his request was turned down.
“They are outsiders and can’t make a judgement you have to be a practising Sufi,” he said.
“I want them to respect our beliefs. I don’t see why we can’t place the cloth - it doesn’t affect or upset anyone.
“I don’t know how they’re getting away with this or why they’re doing it.”
It has also been revealed that rules in Rochdale Cemetery are different to those in place at Denehurst.
Mohammed’s father came to England from Pakistan in 1953, and was affectionately known as ‘the king’ in Rochdale, due to the part he played in the community.
The father-of-two had originally led prayers in Rochdale, before starting a foundation for the Golden Mosque on Lower Sheriff Street, which was the first mosque on Rochdale.
He also ran cinemas in the 1960s.
Son Mohammed, who lives on King Street South, added: “The kids were very close to him and loved him to bits - we are just heartbroken. It’s been absolutely awful - he had dementia but he was a great fighter.
“He had fought for the past four years - he never showed any feelings of pain - he was happy and smiling. I would ask him how he was and he would say ‘I’m okay.’
“When anybody dies it’s a great loss - you miss them.
“They came and played their part in the world and then live in memories.”
Coun Neil Emmott, Rochdale council’s cabinet member for Quality of Place, said: “Whilst I fully appreciate the difficulties this causes for the gentleman in question and I have some sympathy with his case, the policy regarding Muslim graves at Denehurst Cemetery has been developed with the full participation of the Rochdale Council of Mosques and they support the council in this matter.
“Anyone who wants to buy a plot at Denehurst Cemetery is informed of the policies surrounding graves there before they finally sign to purchase the plot, regardless of faith.
“The gentleman in question was fully aware of this policy when he purchased the plot beforehand and knows the policy has the support of the Council of Mosques. It would not be fair to others if we were to make an exception in this case.”
Spotland Coun Faisal Rana said: “Like every council, Rochdale has regulations governing what can be placed on graves which are implemented sensitively for the benefit of everyone to maintain the safety, appearance and dignity of the whole cemetery.
“In respect of Muslim graves, the Council has agreed a protocol with the Rochdale Council of Mosques which does not include placing permanent holy cloths on graves.”