Ruling on building a mosque over an old cemetery

Question:
A message was received from a listener who says: I am a Muslim citizen living in a remote village in the Tunisian Republic. There is an abandoned cemetery in it that our ancestors used previously, and it is now unused because there is another cemetery in the same village. The people of righteousness and benevolence have gathered and donated to a project to build a mosque, but they could not find a place for it other than that cemetery. However, some objected and said: It is not permissible to build a mosque in a cemetery. I ask you to guide us in this case, how should we act? May Allah reward you with good? And is it permissible for us to build the mosque in the place of that old cemetery?

Answer:
That is not permissible for you. The cemetery must remain as it is, respected. No one should be buried in it, and it should not be desecrated by walking on it or by throwing garbage on it. If it is possible to fence it with a mesh or build a structure to protect it from desecration, that would be better.
As for the mosque, it is not to be built there; it should be built elsewhere, even if by purchase, even if by purchasing land. The people of the neighborhood should buy it and build the mosque on it. As for building in the cemetery, it is not permissible. Yes.

The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.