Muslim leaders in southwest Kansas are

considering opening a private cemetery that would serve members of

their faith.

Abdulkadir Mohamed, vice president of Somalis of Southwest

Kansas, says that in recent years, Muslims from southwest Kansas

have been buried in a Wichita cemetery that better serves the

religion’s requirements.

A growing number of Muslims, many from Somalia and Burma, have

settled in southwest Kansas, most to work in four meatpacking

plants within a 70-mile radius of Dodge City and Liberal. An

estimated 500 Muslims live in Garden City.

Muslim leaders asked Garden City in June to set aside a segment

of Valley View Cemetery for members of their faith.

The Garden City Telegram reports that City Commissioner Nancy

Harness told Muslim leaders on Saturday that the city would not

agree to segregate the cemetery.