Muslim Cemetary breaks ground
Minnesota’s largest Muslim cemetery breaks ground near Farmington after 10-year saga Organizers faced multiple hurdles, from a reluctant township board to vandalism, in their quest to develop a new cemetery for the region’s Muslims. by Katelyn Vue In Arabic, “al maghfirah” means forgiveness. Forgiveness — and hope — were on display Tuesday as two dozen people gathered in a desiccated field south of Farmington to break ground on Al Maghfirah Cemetery after a decade of delays and legal challenges. The 72-acre parcel in Castle Rock township will be the largest Muslim cemetery in Minnesota, once it is developed. “It has been a long and challenging journey. Ten years of a struggle. Litigation. Vandalism. And countless obstacles,” said Mohamad Osman, director of the Muslim cemetery project. “But through our collective resolve, we have finally overcome.” The cemetery will offer nearly 50,000 burial plots and will serve Muslims from the Twin Cities metro area. It is expected to open in May 2025. The cemetery association spent $900,000 on the land. It will cost another $1.5 million for the development stage, according to Osman. The two existing buildings on the land will be converted for funerary purposes, and will include gathering areas…