![\"Muslim](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/385D\/production\/_105292441_walsall.jpg\")
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Mr Ul-Haq had argued the council’s refusal to allow him to erect the 4in (10cm) raised edge breached his right to exercise his religion, as is enshrined in Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights.<\/p>\n
Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council defended itself by saying it permitted “mounding of the graves” at the cemetery and that this is how Muslims normally inhibit people walking over them.<\/p>\n
It also said it could not accommodate Mr Ul-Haq’s wishes without harming the rights of other Muslims.<\/p>\n
High Court judges heard both arguments in December<\/a>\u00a0and returned their ruling today, dismissing Mr Ul-Haq’s challenge.<\/p>\n They concluded that council bosses had “acted in a way which is justified” and said what council had decided fell within their “margin of judgment”.<\/p>\n Mr Ul-Haq’s solicitor, Natalia Garcia, said he intends to take his case to the court of appeal.<\/p>\n She said the case is of “significant wider public interest to the Muslim community”.<\/p>\n Mehboob Matloob, who organised a protest outside Walsall Council in August 2016, said he was “very disappointed” with the ruling.<\/p>\n Mr Matloob’s brother is also buried in Streetly cemetery, and he said the ledges on his grave had been damaged.<\/p>\n “I can’t see how they can justify it,” he said.<\/p>\n The council said it was “pleased” with the ruling, saying its cemetery rules “do not discriminate against any individual or community and are appropriate and fair.”<\/p>\n Source: bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"