West Midlands Man Claims To Have Had Human Rights Breached Over Father's Grave

5 December 2018, 16:06 | Updated: 5 December 2018, 16:15

A Muslim from the West Midlands who claims his human rights have been breached because he cannot install a raised marble edge around his father's grave is waiting to find out whether he has won a legal battle.

Atta Ul-Haq, a practising Barelvi Muslim, wants to erect the 4in edging to stop people walking across Hafiz Qadri's grave in Streetly Cemetery in Walsall, West Midlands.

He said Islamic law forbids people from stepping on graves and claims the council's policy breaches his human right to exercise religion - a right enshrined in Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

But Walsall Council leaders say they cannot accommodate Mr Ul-Haq's wish without harming the rights of other Muslims.

They say regulations permit the "mounding of graves", and mounding is the way Muslims normally inhibit people from walking on graves.

Bosses say their approach has been "careful, sensitive and accommodating".

Two judges finished analysing arguments at the High Court in London on Wednesday.

Lord Justice Singh and Mrs Justice Carr are expected to announce their decision in the near future.

Mr Ul-Haq's lawyers said the case could have implications for the Islamic community.

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