The tragic story of Alina Masud, a Brock University student who lost her life in a collision on Highway 406 on December 3, has drawn considerable attention due to the complications surrounding her burial. Alina’s father, Masud Malik, expressed deep sorrow upon discovering that despite a burial plot having been prepared for her at Lakeview Cemetery, she would not be permitted to be laid to rest there.
The incident took a heartbreaking turn when the Masud family was informed just one hour before the scheduled burial that city officials would not allow Alina's interment at the designated cemetery. Malik described the anguish felt by the family, particularly because they had made plans based on the understanding that Alina would be buried close to home.
According to Asad Mahmood, the family’s imam, the decision was based on the city’s desire to avoid segregation within the cemetery. The Masud family practices Islam, which necessitates that the deceased be buried facing Mecca. Mahmood highlighted the last-minute nature of the alternative arrangement that was offered, which unfortunately did not align with the religious requirements necessary for a proper burial.
Community Response
Mahmood emphasized the difficulty of the situation, particularly as a community leader confronted with the need to inform hundreds of mourners at the mosque that they would have to take Alina to another city for burial. Ultimately, the family arranged for Alina’s burial to take place in Niagara Falls, a decision fraught with emotional pain given the last-minute complications they faced.
The local Muslim community has been navigating the complexities of Ontario funeral laws and has repeatedly petitioned the city for a designated section in Lakeview Cemetery since early 2023. Mahmood expressed frustration over the lack of response from city officials, stating that despite fulfilling all necessary requirements, no progress has been made toward meeting their requests.
The City of Thorold has responded to the situation by clarifying that the matter relating to the Masud family was neither discussed by the city council nor intended as a denial based on religious practices. They attributed the circumstances surrounding Alina's burial to an operational error made by city staff during the allocation of cemetery plots. According to city officials, a senior staff member corrected this error, following existing cemetery bylaws that state interment rights cannot be sold for unopened sections until all plots in the existing open section are filled.
The city has reiterated that all faiths are welcome at Lakeview Cemetery, aiming to clarify any misconceptions regarding the policies in place. In the aftermath of this tragic episode, Malik, Alina’s father, articulated a hope that the issues faced by his family would be addressed swiftly, in the hope that future families would not experience similar distress during such critical moments of mourning.
