The right thing: City Council should base cemetery decision on facts, not fear

A number of Muslim residents of Goldsboro are asking the City Council for permission to create a cemetery to bury their dead relatives.

It has caused quite a stir in the community, with neighbors vigorously opposing the proposal.

They say they are afraid of contaminated groundwater due to the Muslim practice of not embalming their dead or using coffins.

There is no scientific fact to justify that argument.

The issue of building Muslim cemeteries is not confined to Goldsboro. In an Associated Press story published in Wednesday's edition, the outcry against such cemeteries nationwide was described in detail.

It would seem that much of the opposition is rooted in the simple fear of Muslims in general -- alive or dead -- because of the terrorist acts committed by a handful of radicals over the past 15 years.

The City Council should weigh the facts and make its decision based on those facts and not the general anti-Muslim sentiment that might well be behind the opposition.

In other words, the Council should do the right thing.

Published in Editorials on April 28, 2016 11:22 AM