First Muslim cemetery opened in Strasbourg

France’s eastern city of Strasbourg on Monday opened the first-ever public cemetery for Muslim-only burials aimed at new generation of Muslims in France who want to be buried on French soil instead of being sent back to their country of origin, rfi.fr reports.

Strasbourg Mayor Roland Ries said the cemetery, which has space for about 1,000 graves, demonstrated the continuation of harmonious relations between the different religious communities in the city, as he opened it.

Until now, Muslims in France have buried their dead in specially assigned areas in Christian graveyards, where there is an acute shortage of space, the kansascity.com reported.