The heartbreak of a Brock University student’s family deepened when they were informed that their daughter, Alina Masud, could not be buried at a nearby cemetery as planned, despite preparations already being made. Alina tragically lost her life in a collision on Highway 406 on December 3.
Alina’s father, Masud Malik, expressed his disappointment upon learning that Alina would not be laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery where they had intended her to be closer to home. The family, who are Muslim, faced this obstacle due to the cemetery’s refusal to allow segregation within its grounds, conflicting with Islamic burial traditions that require the deceased to face Mecca.
City officials, led by Imam Asad Mahmood, offered an alternative location within the cemetery at the last minute, but it did not align with the family’s religious beliefs. Despite numerous requests over the years for a designated section accommodating Islamic burial practices, the Masud family and the local Muslim community continue to face challenges in this regard.
Ultimately, Alina was laid to rest in Niagara Falls, away from the intended cemetery due to the religious conflict. The City of Thorold stated that the issue stemmed from an operational error in plot allocation by city staff, which was rectified by a senior staff member following cemetery bylaws.
While the city maintains that all faiths are welcome at Lakeview Cemetery, Malik hopes for a swift resolution to prevent similar distress for other families experiencing loss during such difficult times.