Township Accused Of Discrimination For Rejecting Islamic Cemetery

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An Islamic civil rights group wants a federal investigation into a Dakota County township board's rejection of a proposed cemetery for Muslims last year.

The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations alleges Castle Rock Township discriminated based on religion. The group wants the Department of Justice to investigate whether denying the cemetery violated federal law.

In a statement, the group's executive director, Jaylani Hussein, says: "It is truly a sad day when Minnesota Muslims are denied their final resting place simply because of their faith."

Township board chairwoman Sandy Weber said she had no comment when reached by The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Castle Rock Township officials declined to comment to the St. Paul Pioneer Press last week, citing the ongoing legal action.