This just in from the Islamic Republic of Britain: all graves in this multi-faith cemetery must face Mecca, because otherwise, you see, you'd have Christian graves facing one way and Muslim graves facing another, and that wouldn't be...tidy. And of course we mustn't risk offending You Know Who.
"A Question of Faith...Or Tidiness?," from the Nottingham Evening Post,
In today's secular society you could be forgiven for not knowing which direction Christian graves face.
Ancient tradition shows they should look east in anticipation of the second coming of Jesus Christ.
But all headstones at the new £2.5m High Wood Cemetery in Bulwell will be plotted to face north-east, in line with Islamic faith.
Muslims believe the dead look over their shoulder towards Mecca, towards the south-east.
Despite there being separate sections at the cemetery in Low Wood Road for different faiths, the council wanted to give a tidy, linear appearance.
Only on special request can families have graves with headstones facing in a different direction.
The controversial decision was taken after consultation with the city's Cemeteries Consultative Committee.
And it has sparked huge debate among city faith leaders.
The Rev David Gray, from St John's Church, Bulwell, said: "All faiths should have their beliefs respected.
"It would be wrong to stipulate one over the other, especially in our climate of trying to be sensitive of other people's beliefs.
"It is an evolving cemetery and should be made for people of all faiths and certainly people of Christian faiths.
"For some people it doesn't matter, but for those who prefer that they are facing east it is important."...
The local imam also opposes this preposterous bit of dhimmitude:
Raza Ul Haq, Imam at the Madni Masjid Mosque, in Gladstone Street, Forest Fields, said: "It is part of our religion for dead bodies to face Mecca. It is very important.
"If for the Christians, this is part of their religion that they should be facing towards somewhere else, then we are 200% in support of them. It is our job to help and support them. If that is their requirement, then we will be supporting the Christians."
"A Question of Faith...Or Tidiness?," from the Nottingham Evening Post,
In today's secular society you could be forgiven for not knowing which direction Christian graves face.
Ancient tradition shows they should look east in anticipation of the second coming of Jesus Christ.
But all headstones at the new £2.5m High Wood Cemetery in Bulwell will be plotted to face north-east, in line with Islamic faith.
Muslims believe the dead look over their shoulder towards Mecca, towards the south-east.
Despite there being separate sections at the cemetery in Low Wood Road for different faiths, the council wanted to give a tidy, linear appearance.
Only on special request can families have graves with headstones facing in a different direction.
The controversial decision was taken after consultation with the city's Cemeteries Consultative Committee.
And it has sparked huge debate among city faith leaders.
The Rev David Gray, from St John's Church, Bulwell, said: "All faiths should have their beliefs respected.
"It would be wrong to stipulate one over the other, especially in our climate of trying to be sensitive of other people's beliefs.
"It is an evolving cemetery and should be made for people of all faiths and certainly people of Christian faiths.
"For some people it doesn't matter, but for those who prefer that they are facing east it is important."...
The local imam also opposes this preposterous bit of dhimmitude:
Raza Ul Haq, Imam at the Madni Masjid Mosque, in Gladstone Street, Forest Fields, said: "It is part of our religion for dead bodies to face Mecca. It is very important.
"If for the Christians, this is part of their religion that they should be facing towards somewhere else, then we are 200% in support of them. It is our job to help and support them. If that is their requirement, then we will be supporting the Christians."
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