Minnesota’s Largest Muslim Cemetery: A Risky Step Toward Islamization in the U.S.

On October 8, 2024, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Al Maghfirah Cemetery took place in Castle Rock Township near Farmington, Minnesota. Once completed, this 72-acre development will be the largest Muslim cemetery in the state, offering nearly 50,000 burial plots. Set to open in May 2025, the project represents the end of a decade-long legal battle in which local opposition fiercely resisted what they see as the latest example of Islamic encroachment on American soil. Marred by community pushback, vandalism, and legitimate concerns over public safety, this cemetery stands as a symbol of the growing tensions surrounding the Islamization of the U.S.

The land was purchased in 2014 for $900,000 by the shadowy Al Maghfirah Cemetery Association, with an additional $1.5 million being invested in funeral homes and gathering spaces to serve the growing Muslim population in Minnesota.

Despite these investments, the cemetery has faced fierce resistance from local residents, who argue that it is more than a religious accommodation. Critics view the project as part of a calculated effort to entrench Islamic practices in America, raising serious concerns over public health, safety, and the erosion of American values.

Shia Waves, which is based in Iraq, celebrated first Islamic cemetery in Minnesota:

A Decade of Legal Battles and Opposition

The cemetery’s journey has been marked by legal battles, community opposition, and strong resistance. After the land purchase, Castle Rock Township’s zoning board and local residents acted swiftly to block the project by amending zoning laws and denying permits. The Al Maghfirah Cemetery Association sued in 2015, ultimately winning in 2016, but the legal victory did little to soothe tensions. Many argue that this fight is not just about a cemetery, but about the future direction of American society in the face of growing Islamic influence.

Public Health and Environmental Concerns

The cemetery’s Islamic burial practices—eschewing embalming, coffins, and chemical treatments—raise red flags among critics. Islamic tradition dictates that bodies be wrapped in a simple cloth and placed directly in the ground, which critics fear could result in soil and groundwater contamination. With nearly 50,000 bodies projected to be buried at Al Maghfirah, the potential environmental risks are considerable, especially given the lack of protective measures typically used in modern American burial practices.

Moreover, large Muslim funerals, which can attract thousands of attendees, could overwhelm local infrastructure. The nearby Garden of Eden Cemetery in Burnsville has already struggled with the logistical challenges of hosting large-scale Muslim funerals, leading to traffic congestion and disruptions. Residents fear that the Al Maghfirah Cemetery will only exacerbate these issues, placing undue strain on the community and raising concerns about public safety.

A Step Toward Islamic Expansionism?

To many critics, the cemetery is emblematic of a broader, more insidious effort to Islamize the United States, one development at a time. The establishment of such a massive cemetery goes beyond meeting the needs of Minnesota’s Muslim community—it represents a calculated step toward reshaping American society to accommodate Islamic customs that often conflict with U.S. health standards and societal values.

The Muslim community sees this cemetery as a major step forward toward further Islamizing America. Radical Jaylani Hussein, the executive director of Minnesota’s chapter of Hamas-linked CAIR, boasted about the Islamic expansionism victory, explaining how this would serve the community for the next 100 years. He showed no concern over the health and environmental safety issues that will inevitably affect the larger community. As CAIR and its Islamic affiliates have repeatedly shown since their inception, their only true goal is to continue the growing influence of Islam in non-Islamic countries like the U.S.

Projects like this raise fundamental questions: Is this truly about religious freedom, or is it a form of segregation that undermines integration and prioritizes one group’s practices over public safety and societal cohesion?

A Dangerous Precedent

The Al Maghfirah Cemetery is not just a local issue—it is part of a larger trend toward accommodating Islamic Sharia customs in America, with potentially far-reaching and dangerous consequences. By allowing this massive cemetery to be built, we risk undermining public health, societal safety, and the values that have long defined America.