Plans For Muslim Cemetery Draw Ire In Farmersville

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FARMERSVILLE (CBS11) - Opponents to a proposed Muslim cemetery filled a town hall meeting in Farmersville Tuesday night.

The city organized the meeting, along with the Islamic Association of Collin County, to address concerns about the project.

"Every place y'all have been you've caused some sort of controversy… It's not going to happen in Farmersville," said one public speaker, to applause from the crowd.

Residents fear the cemetery will lower property values, contaminate drinking water, and create security issues.

Khalid Rashid, of the IACC, fielded their questions, including why his organization would want to place a cemetery amid so much opposition.

"The problem is not, I believe, the cemetery. I don't think that's the problem. I think the problem in reality is the misunderstanding or lack of understanding about … Islam and Islamic communities,"

The 32-acre site lies just outside city limits, where the mayor says city leaders have "absolutely zero" control over how the land is used.

Not everyone in the crowd was upset, though.

A woman living near the proposed site said she's actually relieved.

"Not knowing what might go in there – be it a big box store or industrial - quite frankly we were pleased to hear a cemetery was planned for that location. We would be proud to have you as our neighbors," she said.

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