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The Tomb of Lepejou is the oldest Muslim burial site in
the Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
, dating back to 1828. The grave is located on the Huize Arnichem Estate outside the hamlet of Haerst, which is under the municipal jurisdiction of
Zwolle Zwolle () is a city and municipality in the Northeastern Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of Overijssel and the province's second-largest municipality after Enschede with a population of 130,592 as of 1 December 2021. Zwolle is on ...
.


Lepejou

Lepejou was a historical figure born circa 1805 on the island of Sulawesi in the former Dutch East Indies.Buist, G. (2000). ''Geheimen in het Vechtdal.'' Uitgave van Stichting Kunst & Cultuur Overijssel. Lepejou died on 23 July 1828. Lepejou was born from parents named August and Jeanette and he was sold as a slave in British Guiana. Although Lepejou was from Sulawesi, his death certificate incorrectly stated that he was born in Boegis.


Folklore

Numerous Dutch publications have reported local folklore surrounding the tomb of Lepejou. Oral histories relate that Lepejou saved the life of Joan Hendrik Tobias, the historic owner of the Huize Arnichem Estate. As a way of saying thanks, Joan Hendrik Tobias subsequently brought Lepejou from Sulawesi to the Netherlands.


Tombstone features

The grave consists of two stones. On the first stone is a Latin text, which translated reads: "Lepejou, also called Apolloon, was born on the island of Celebes and died on July 23, 1828." On the second stone is an Arabic text, which translated reads: "The lord has his most loyal servant dedicated this tomb, because he is grateful to him and always thinks of him."


Burial site

In 1979, the grave was dug up and vandalized: both stones were broken and the tomb was partially opened. At this time, the skull was also stolen from the grave.


In archives

The legal death certificate of Lepejou is held in the Historical Center Overijssel in Zwolle.


See also

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Grave robbery Grave robbery, tomb robbing, or tomb raiding is the act of uncovering a grave, tomb or crypt to steal commodities. It is usually perpetrated to take and profit from valuable artefacts or personal property. A related act is body snatching, a term ...
*
Islam in the Netherlands Islam is the second largest religion in the Netherlands, after Christianity, and is practised by 5% of the population according to 2018 estimates. The majority of Muslims in the Netherlands belong to the Sunni denomination. Many reside in th ...
*
Islamophobia in Europe Islam is the second-largest religion in Europe after Christianity. Although the majority of Muslim communities in Western Europe formed recently, there are centuries-old Muslim societies in the Balkans, Caucasus, Crimea, and Volga region. The ...


Notes


References

{{reflist Archaeological theft Cemetery vandalism and desecration Cemeteries in the Netherlands Muslim cemeteries Islam in the Netherlands Anti-Islam sentiment in the Netherlands