Monday, 20 December 2004POLICE have stepped up patrols at burial grounds around Halifax after a pig's head on a stake was stuck on a Muslim grave.
The incident happened at Exley Cemetery in Elland. Several other graves were daubed with graffiti.
Calderdale police said no motive had been established for the attack and inquiries were continuing.
It is strictly against the Muslim religion to touch or eat pork products and last night community and religious leaders were appalled at the attack.
Wendy Wilby, vicar of Halifax and vice chairwoman of Calderdale Interfaith Council, said: "All of us, from any faith or none, would be outraged by this total disregard of people's feelings.
"We have all lost loved ones and we all recognise how hurt and upset we'd feel if it happened to us."
Mohammed Aslam, who runs the HIMMAT education project for young people in Gibbet Street, Halifax, said: "We have to hope the police can catch the sick person who is responsible.
"They could also look at improving the security at the cemetery, which would benefit everyone who uses it, not only Muslims."
Chief Insp Bill Hall, of Calderdale Police, said the pig's head was stuck on a stick which had been pushed into one of the graves.
The attack is believed to have happened overnight on December 9 and was discovered by a funeral director the following day.
A team of officers has been trying to trace and speak to all the families who have graves at Exley, Mr Hall said.
"We are dismayed at the people who have carried out this vile attack and we are treating it very seriously.
"We are making investigations to find out where the head came from and we are scientifically looking at where the stick has been and whether there is any DNA on it. The area has been searched and house to house inquiries have been carried out with residents in the area.
"We have put additional patrols at all places of burial across the whole of Calderdale. The motive for this attack is not clear and the graffiti has not led us to any particular group."
Yorkshire Post, posted by Muslim News (London)
19 December 2004
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Monday, 20 December 2004
Sally Cope
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