Al Maghfirah Cemetery Association is a nonprofit formed by Minnesota Muslims to establish a cemetery of our own — a place to bury our loved ones with dignity, according to our faith.
Muslims have lived in Minnesota for more than 30 years, and our numbers are growing. Immigrants from about 40 nations now make their homes across the Twin Cities. Yet in spite of these changes, until now we have not been able to establish a cemetery that is exclusively for Muslims.
We have buried our dead in extensions of existing cemeteries, or shipped our loved ones back to the countries of our origin. We found ourselves in a strange dilemma — while societies around the world accord every community the fundamental dignity of burying their dead according to their own rites.
The land in Castle Rock Township is ideal for a cemetery that will meet the needs of a diverse Muslim community for generations. Al-Maghfirah exists to make that possible.
To provide dignified, faith-based Islamic burial services for the Muslim community in Minnesota while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and compassion.
A fully developed Muslim cemetery that serves as a sacred space for generations to come — preserving Islamic traditions and community dignity.
The property at 1120 220th St W, Farmington, MN 55024 sits in Dakota County, about 35 minutes south of Minneapolis–St. Paul. It was purchased in 2014 and is fully paid for.
The association bought the land in 2014, but Castle Rock Township refused the permits needed to operate a cemetery. In February 2016 a Dakota County judge ruled that the township must allow the Islamic cemetery. The buildings on the property were vandalized in August 2017, and in October 2021 tires were stacked inside a building and a gas line was cut in what appeared to be an attempted arson — more than $200,000 in damages over the years.
Our resolve only grew. In 2022 the township granted a conditional use permit allowing the cemetery together with ghusl and prayer facilities. The community broke ground in October 2024, finished Phase 1 in June 2025, and in July 2026 signed the construction contract for the Masjid & Ghusl Center.
With the construction contract signed, the association opened a LaunchGood campaign to fund the masjid and burial washing (ghusl) center — the final major phase before the cemetery can begin serving families.
The association signed the construction contract for Phase 2: the ghusl facility, prayer area, community hall and service offices designed by LSE Architects.
Despite years of challenges and lawsuits, Phase 1 was finished and paid for with $1.4 million contributed by the Muslim community: about five acres of prepared burial grounds with nearly 5,000 lots, internal roads, paved parking, stormwater management and hundreds of evergreen trees planted as a natural boundary.
Things are moving along well, alhamdulillah. The asphalt base was paved, with final paving scheduled after the stormwater pond work is done.
Concrete was poured and crews hauled in materials for the stormwater pond while waiting for the next available paving date.
LSE Architects presented the design for the Al-Maghfirah funeral center — ghusl rooms, a prayer hall, offices and parking — and the association met contractors on site on May 22, 2025.
Crews began earthwork and grading, followed by the internal road network and parking areas that were paved in the early summer.
After a decade of delays, the community broke ground in Castle Rock Township. The ceremony was covered by KSTP, WCCO/CBS, KARE 11, FOX 9 and Sahan Journal.
Castle Rock Township granted Conditional Use Permit 2022-0002, allowing the cemetery together with ghusl (ritual washing) and prayer facilities on the land.
A Dakota County judge ruled that Castle Rock Township must allow the Islamic cemetery, the first major legal victory in a long fight for approval.
The community bought 72 acres of farmland at 1120 220th Street West in Castle Rock Township — and paid for it in full.
When the Masjid & Ghusl Center is finished, Al-Maghfirah will begin serving Muslim families across Minnesota.
The cemetery is being developed in phases so that every dollar raised is put to work on the ground.
Funded in full by the community: $1.4M.
Estimated cost: $2.4M. Once complete, burials can begin.
We look forward to serving the Muslim community of the Twin Cities and surrounding areas with compassion and care.
