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Muslim man waits for High Court verdict on Walsall Council grave row

A Muslim who claims his human rights have been breached because he cannot install a raised marble edge around his father's grave in Walsall is waiting to find out whether he has won a legal battle.

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A stock photo of Muslim graves

Atta Ul-Haq, a practising Barelvi Muslim, wants to erect the 4in edging to stop people walking across Hafiz Qadri's grave in Streetly Cemetery.

He said Islamic law forbids people from stepping on graves and claims the council's policy breaches his human right to exercise religion - a right enshrined in Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

But Walsall Council leaders say they cannot accommodate Mr Ul-Haq's wish without harming the rights of other Muslims.

They say regulations permit the 'mounding of graves', and mounding is the way Muslims normally inhibit people from walking on graves.

Bosses say their approach has been 'careful, sensitive and accommodating'.

Two judges finished analysing arguments at the High Court in London on Wednesday.

Lord Justice Singh and Mrs Justice Carr are expected to announce their decision in the near future.

Mr Ul-Haq's lawyers said the case could have implications for the Islamic community.

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