Countless Muslim graves in Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery in Hertfordshire have been desecrated, in what has been labelled an Islamophobic hate crime by police. 85 graves in the Muslim section of a cemetery, largely the graves of babies and children, have been vandalised.
Disturbing pictures showed the desecrated site, with name plaques broken, soil from marked graves dug up, and damaged headstones.
Islamophobic attack at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery
The cemetery where the vandals struck is owned by Brent Council. Its leader, Muhammed Butt, said:
Our thoughts are with the families of those whose graves were desecrated. I cannot imagine how they must be feeling at this moment.
Muhammed Butt also told reporters that the council would reach out to the affected families to make arrangements to repair damaged graves, and added:
If it means having patrols in the next few days and weeks coming forward, we will absolutely do that.
Wadi Funeral Care, who operate in the area, said in a statement:
We are heartbroken and outraged by the recent desecration of the Muslim burial section at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery. Reports indicate that children’s grave plaques were destroyed, and some graves were subjected to unspeakable acts of disrespect. These heinous actions have caused immense pain to grieving families and our broader community.
A spokesperson from the funeral home told ITV News:
It’s had a huge impact. It’s not long ago that Woodcock Hill Cemetery, not far away from here, was also desecrated.
People feel that these sorts of attacks are becoming more frequent.
Less than a year ago, Muslim graves were also vandalised in Burnley – an incident which was also labelled an Islamophobic hate crime.
Ishrat Zuberi, who regularly visits her father’s grave, said:
I’m speechless. I haven’t actually processed this because it’s so awful.
Grief
Reactions on social media featured an outpouring of grief, as the horror of the desecration set in. Journalist Taj Ali called for serious action on Islamophobia:
Muslim graves at Carpenders Park cemetery in Watford were desecrated yesterday.
Plaques on children’s graves were destroyed and other graves were subjected to shameful acts of vandalism according to a local councillor.
We need serious action on Islamophobia. pic.twitter.com/VuvY68Fodc
— Taj Ali (@Taj_Ali1) April 13, 2025
One user expressed disbelief at the horror of the Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery desecration:
This stuff is getting out of control now. They are dead! What did they do to you? They came to the world being Muslim.. they died being Muslim.. let them rest in peace! This was btw the graves of babies. We have some vile people in this world. VILE! pic.twitter.com/MM5lqoC1e2
— Nino LFC (@lfc_nino) April 14, 2025
The An-Nisa Society, which works for the welfare of Muslims, was not impressed with the response from the council:
An Islamophobic graves desecration attack took place in the Muslim part of Carpenders Pk Cemetery yesterday.
How come we did not hear about this from @Brent_Council
Many of us have family members buried there & we are upset.
It is Islamophobic & needs to be recorded as such. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/BMxN1ZHzx9— An-Nisa Society (@AnNisaSociety) April 13, 2025
The society also added:
This is clearly not just an act of vandalism, it is an Islamophobic attack, & must be recorded as such.
The group make an important point. As usual, the police took their time in determining whether the solely Muslim graves that were desecrated constituted an Islamophobic hate crime, or random violence. They don’t seem to have such trouble when it comes to attacks that can be designated terrorist. But, that’s probably a much simpler endeavour when all you have to do is see how dark skinned the attacker is to determine if it’s terrorism or merely violence.
Abject
Every one of the 85 graves vandalised at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery contains a Muslim who was deeply loved. Even in death, Muslims still cannot be left in peace. Whoever chose to break headstones and plaques, and dig up topsoil in a cemetery undoubtedly knew they were committing a horrific and obscene act.
But, as with all disturbing events like this, they do not happen in isolation. The desecration of these Muslim graves is a product of a deeply Islamophobic society. This Labour government have repeatedly not taken action on Islamophobia, and anti-Muslim sentiment has become normalised and even expected. No doubt, local residents will assist Muslim communities with clean-up efforts – and good on them. Nevertheless, this is clearly a societal problem for which more than just the vandals alone bear responsibility.
Featured image via screengrab
