Rejection of the muslim cemetery in Saint-Apollinaire: “Regrettable”, according to mayor Labeaume

Photo Simon Clark

Stephanie Martin

Monday, 17 July 2017 10:46

UPDATE
Monday, 17 July 2017 10:53

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Without wanting to blame the citizens of Saint-Apollinaire, the mayor of Quebec city is “incredible” that 49 individuals had right of life or death on the project of a muslim cemetery.

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“I agree with what (cardinal) Gérald Lacroix said of it,” said Régis Labeaume, Monday morning, the day after a vote is very tight, which resulted in 19 against 16 by a rejection of the project. “Everyone has the right to bury their dead somewhere.”

“Saint-Apollinaire, this is not Quebec. But 49 people had the right of life or death on a project that has a sociological impact important in all of Quebec. Right there, it’s pretty amazing. It is necessary to ask questions about our system of governance”, said Mr. Labeaume.

The mayor has not wanted to jump into the debate that has unleashed passions in the small town of the South Shore. “I don’t have the taste to blame anyone who voted there. It is unfortunate, but I remember that the muslims who want to be buried in Quebec, they can be.”

Some 500 lots are available in the cemetery multifaith Gardens Quebec city belonging to Lépine Cloutier. However, the muslim community and the islamic cultural Centre of Quebec have repeatedly expressed their intention to buy a lot to install their cemetery.