SENIOR councillors have approved the building of a new Muslim prayer shelter at Blackburn’s Pleasington Cemetery.
It will be sited at a new Muslim burial ground at the graveyard.
The extra space is needed because the Islamic area of the cemetery will be full in 12 to 15 months.
The prayer shelter is needed as the additional burial ground is more than half a mile from the existing one.
On Thursday Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive board authorised the spending for the new prayer shelter.
Conservative group leader Cllr John Slater said: "This is a sensitive issue. We fully support it."
The council's customer services boss Cllr Quesir Mahmood said: "Funerals are such an upsetting and emotional time and we don’t want to make then more difficult for anyone.
"Every funeral service, of any religion, or no religion, is deserving of dignity and its own separate area for mourners and we will strive to make this possible for everyone.”
The chapel at Pleasington Cemetery was recently refurbished for use by the Christian community attending funerals and visiting loved ones’ graves and memorials.
During Muslim funerals the deceased person is taken to the prayer shelter and, immediately following the prayers and further blessings, is then carried to the graveside and buried.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here