BBC NEWS | England | Derbyshire | Row over Muslim burial price rise

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A large rise in the price of Muslim burials has brought protests from community leaders in Derby.

The cost of the land and special concrete vaults was set to go up from £1,400 to £2,500.

The city council said this reflected the true cost of the work but some Muslims said they resented the way the change was made without consultation.

The decision has now been deferred with officials saying they will explore further options.

Liaison problems

The council said that for some time cremations had subsidised the more expensive burials.

They added that since religious traditions mean Muslims can only be buried, and the grave requires a concrete lining, the extra cost should not be put on other communities.

But Fareed Hussain, former chairman of the Pakistani Community Association, said the council had made assumptions and had not spoken to Muslims.

"It is the way the council on this occasion appear to have gone about this that has got the Muslim community angry.

"These proposals have never been discussed, although it means an increase of £1,100 a time, they wanted to raise the cost immediately and they said they would want to consult with the community afterward."

Mike Carr, from Derby City Council, admitted they had not discussed possible alternative arrangements.

"It would seem there has been a lack of liaison between the communities over the last 18 months - I have only just taken over and I intend to explore all options."

The grave requires a concrete lining? Why is this? How was the requirement for a concrete inner met during the time of the prophet? Are people afraid they'll get out? Or are muslims afraid of something getting in (ground burrowing porkers, perhaps?)
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You're right on with the `why the concrete linings', C Steam. Is it in the Koran? Do Muslim countries - yes I know, some might say that should read other Muslim countries, insist on concrete gift wrapping?
I didn't see any concrete linings when they were digging up the remains of the victims of Saddam Hussein, or the victims of the various militias in Iraq, all Muslims murdered by their fellow Muslims.
It might, just might, be something to do with `contamination'; maybe Muslims believe that the remains will be contaminated if they come into contact with `infidel' soil, but this is only a guess.
It would be useful if someone could explain this - but only if it's in the interests of `multicultural cohesion'. If it isn't, better keep quiet about it, I wouldn't want facts or the truth to get in the way of multicultural cohesion.
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Muslim burial rites clash with Conn. laws - The Boston Globe

The above may shed some light on the situation. I presume the situation is similar in the UK. If a graveyard is near hosuing estates the body has to be buried in a casket. Since muslims don't use caskets and they I presume aren't permitted to bury their dead by putting the body directly in a hole in the ground, the concrete grave thing has emerged.

fact of the matter though is that concrete is expensive due to increasing demand from China, so muslims I am afraid will have to cough up.

Ea of dune
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with food shortages we shouldn't be burying people we should be eating them :-)

tongue -> cheek
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Originally Posted by g hall:
with food shortages we shouldn't be burying people we should be eating them :-)

tongue -> cheek

Mmmm, Soylent Green.:-)
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