Chicago Muslim families outraged after headstones found next to cemetery dumpster

CHICAGO - Dozens of headstones belonging to members of Chicago’s Muslim community were discovered next to a dumpster on the city’s far North Side.

The find has outraged families, including one man who noticed his father’s grave marker missing earlier this month.

Aymen said he visited his father’s grave at Bohemian National Cemetery only to find the headstone gone. When he asked about it, he said he was taken to a pile of headstones next to a dumpster, many of which belonged to other Muslim families. He said some of the stones even have scripture on them, which makes the situation hurt a little more.

According to Aymen, he was told the headstones did not meet cemetery regulations. However, he criticized both the Bohemian National Cemetery and the Muslim Community Center for not notifying families before removing the markers.

"There’s going to be many families out there that are actually going to be very upset when they find out their relative’s tombstone was thrown out," Aymen said.

In response, the MCC, which oversees the gravesites, apologized for the situation. 

The organization explained that it had taken over the grave marker orders last year to ensure uniformity and to address maintenance and landscaping issues at the cemetery.

In a statement, the MCC wrote, "Having a loved one’s resting place disturbed can be deeply upsetting, and we sincerely apologize for any hurt this may have caused our community."

The MCC assured the public that it would work with families to resolve the issue and remedy the situation. The center's full statement is shared below: 

"Assalamu Alaikum, 

"We hope this message finds you in good health and spirits. We understand that recent actions at Bohemian Cemetery have caused some confusion and concern, especially for those of you with loved ones resting there. Having a loved one’s resting place disturbed can be deeply upsetting, and we sincerely apologize for any hurt this may have caused our community. We want to clarify what has happened and outline the steps we are taking to ensure a respectful outcome. 

"In the past, grave markers were either managed directly by the cemetery or brought in by community members without the cemetery’s knowledge or permission. This led to a variety of marker designs, some of which were not properly secured, causing issues with landscaping and maintenance. 

"Starting in 2023, MCC took over the responsibility of grave marker orders to ensure a uniform design that lies flat on the ground, minimizing complaints and improving the overall appearance of the cemetery. Despite these efforts, some community members continued to place grave markers without proper authorization, leading to further complications and difficulty in managing the cemetery. 

"Recently, the cemetery’s ground operations crew removed grave markers that were loose. These markers were moved for storage elsewhere so that they can be retrieved at a later time for reinstallation with the appropriate concrete base (at an additional cost). We regret the distress or hurt this may have caused to the beloved members of our community. 

"To address this issue, we will plan to work with the families impacted for proper reinstallation of these markers. MCC is committed to supporting families who may face financial difficulties in this process, and will consider supporting the families on a case-by-case basis. We are always looking for ways to better serve our community, and are here to listen to your feedback and suggestions. 

"For further questions or concerns, please contact the MCC office at 773-725-9047. JazakAllah Khair for your understanding and cooperation. 

"Sincerely, The Muslim Community Center."