Story Archive

Speaking Ill of the Dead

The head of the religious society that bought a Dudley, Mass., farm to turn it into a cemetery said it would abide by any requirement to use caskets and vaults, even though his religion disfavors caskets. So a neighbor suggested just using a Christian cemetery: “Why do you need your own cemetery if you’re willing to violate jihadi law?” That was just one objection raised against the Islamic Society of Greater Worcester’s cemetery at a zoning meeting. Society president Khalid Khan Sadozai said Massachusetts Muslims had been traveling an hour and a half to Connecticut for burials, but a man who claimed to be a veteran said, “Well, the ride from Afghanistan for a dead soldier is about 14 hours.” A Society lawyer said state law protects cemeteries and other religious activities from zoning boards. But some residents said their concerns weren’t about religion. “It’s quiet,” said one woman, “and I’d like to keep it that way.” (AC/WBUR Boston) ...Which is louder: a grave or a bigot?