In a brazen late-night break-in at Maqabah Cemetery, thieves made off with two air-conditioners and a pair of water pumps from its funeral parlour, prompting urgent calls for security upgrades and swift repairs.
The shocking raid came to light when caretakers opened the building and discovered the equipment missing.
“I was stunned when I heard what happened,” area councillor Tariq Al Farasani, who represents the Northern Governorate’s Constituency Five, told the GDN.
“A cemetery is a sacred place, and the idea that someone would walk in and steal from a funeral facility is deeply disturbing. It shows a level of boldness and disregard that we simply cannot ignore.”
According to Mr Al Farasani, one of the most troubling aspects of the incident was the failure of the cemetery’s security system.
“The security cameras were out of service,” he revealed. “Had they been working, we might already have clues or footage of the thieves.
“This is something that should never be allowed to happen, and I have urged immediate maintenance and full restoration of the system.”
He noted that malfunctioning cameras may have given the perpetrators confidence to target the facility. “We have to assume the thieves knew the cameras were not working,” he suggested.
Following Mr Al Farasani’s intervention, the Jaffari Endowments Directorate contacted the caretaker responsible for the cemetery to gather details about the theft and assess the damage.
The directorate has begun internal procedures to evaluate what repairs and replacements are required and to co-ordinate with municipal authorities and the police on long-term security measures.
Mr Al Farasani praised their quick response. “I have to thank the Jaffari Endowments for reacting swiftly. Its involvement is crucial, and I appreciate a readiness to address the matter without delay.”
The theft has left the funeral parlour without essential cooling and water-supply systems – both necessary for completing burial arrangements.
“The priority now is to repair the damage and replace what was stolen,” Mr Al Farasani stressed. “Families who come to bury their loved ones should not face discomfort or disruption because of such criminal acts. Restoring the AC units and water pumps is vital and must be done quickly.”
He added that solutions were already being discussed to prevent future break-ins, including enhanced surveillance, lighting, physical barriers and regular technical inspections.
The councillor emphasised that this incident must be treated as a ‘wake-up call’.
“This should be the last time something like this happens,” he said. “Cemeteries deserve respect, and the community expects us to safeguard them. Strengthening security and ensuring that systems are functioning properly is not optional – it is a responsibility.
“Our community is resilient, and our institutions are responsive. With proper follow-through, we will not only fix the damage but also build stronger safeguards for the future.”
Police investigations are ongoing, and no suspects have yet been identified.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))