AN EXTRA 40 graves have been set aside to meet the demand of the Muslim population in Southall.

The space has been created in Hortus Cemetery, Merrick Road, where last month several graves were smashed up by vandals at the same time as people celebrated the end of Ramadan.

The extra allocation, which was given to the community by Ealing Council, should last for about two years.

Bashir Ahmed, who has been the only Muslim undertaker in Southall for the past 30 years from the Central Jamia Mosque in Montague Waye, said they have been fighting for this extra space for some time.

He said: “About 10 years ago we were given 471 places at the cemetery by the council, but these were all filled up in about 2005. We then started to campaign to ask the council for this extra space.

“However these extra spaces will only last for a two years before they are filled, and then we will have to look elsewhere for provision.

“There is more room at the Greenford cemetery, but people do not seem to like going there, so we really need to see if there is somewhere else in Southall that can be used as a Muslim cemetery.”

The way people are buried is vitally important to Muslims, as they should be buried facing towards the Kaaba in Saudi Arabia.

Arif Hussain, who was also part of the campaign for extra space, said: “Even if they are not particularly religious in life, in death Muslims are very particular and burial forms a very important part of that.

“A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to make this happen, and now we need to look at what can be done to help the local need on a long-term basis.”