Police confirmed that the damage to Muslim graves in Three Rivers is being treated as an Islamophobic hate crime.

Many of the affected graves are the final resting places of babies and young children.

Initially, it was thought that 85 plaques in Carpenders Park Lawn were damaged but police later revised the number to 61.

Although the graveyard serves both Muslims and non-Muslims, all the damage occurred in the area reserved for Muslim burials.

One family whose daughter is buried at the site wrote a comment piece for Islam Channel describing the pain this incident has caused.

“For many of us who have loved and buried our dear ones there, the pain runs deep,” said Iqbal Khan, whose daughter Baraka Khan is buried at the site.

“For me, Carpenders Park is more than a cemetery. It is where my beloved 24-year-old daughter Baraka Khan chose to be her resting place once she returned to her Creator.”

Police increased their presence in the are and other nearby burial grounds, including those in Watford and St Albans.

An Islamophobic act

Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson, head of Hertfordshire’s Local Policing Command, said: “We are continuing to investigate every line of enquiry into this terrible crime, which we are now treating as an Islamophobic act.

“During the initial stages of our investigation we explored several hypotheses as to how the damage may have occurred and for this reason, we had to be mindful of the words used to describe the incident in the public domain.

“However, now our inquiry has progressed we are confident that sadly, this was a religiously motivated act. We would like to reassure those affected, and the wider Muslim community, that we are continuing to treat this crime extremely seriously.”

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said: “There is absolutely no place for hate or discrimination of any kind anywhere, but particularly in London – a city where everyone is welcome, and where our diversity is one of our greatest strengths.”

“Brent Council continues to work closely with the police and with the families affected to make sure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. I encourage anyone who thinks they have information that will help the investigation to contact the police.

“The council will reinstate the damaged name plaques and return Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery to a peaceful, quiet place of remembrance for families as quickly as possible, once the police have finished their investigation.”

Image: Abbas Merali facebook