Latest news with #UmarAl-Qadri
Sunday World
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Sunday World
Muslim cleric says Eid in Croke Park is not ‘disrespectful to Bloody Sunday martyrs'
'These people that believe that we're undermining Christian or Irish values, they obviously have no clue' The chairperson of the Irish Muslim Council in Ireland has defended the celebration of Eid al-Adha in Croke Park. Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri was speaking after protestors gathered outside the Dublin sporting ground earlier this month as attendees arrived. More than 700 members of the Muslim community took part in the June 6 celebration of the feast of the sacrifice, regarded as the holiest festival in the Muslim calendar. As the call to prayer began inside, a woman stood up holding rosary beads and began to recite the Hail Mary, RTE reported. She shouted "shame" as she was escorted away by security. There was no reaction from members of the Muslim community in attendance, which included children. Dr Al-Quadri said the tactics were "not nice or respectable" as he pointed out the doors of mosques are open for Irish people to visit. Croke Park News in 90 Seconds - June 19th He has now posted a defence of the event in an online post where he argued that it is not 'disrespectful to the martyrs of Bloody Sunday'. 'Some people wonder why Muslims celebrate Eid in Croke Park,' he began. 'This is a genuine question (asked) out of sincerity, and there is no other bias or reason. 'Then there are also people that have the same question but they will add to that. 'Muslims disrespected Croke Park, and undermined Christian and Irish nationalist values by celebrating Eid in Croke Park. 'First of all, this did not happen for the first time, this was the sixth time that the Muslim community in Ireland celebrated the Eid prayers in Croke Park. 'Croke Park holds a significant place in the hearts of millions of Irish people and this is because of the tragedy that unfolded (there) more than 100 years ago.' Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri posts his message Dr Al-Qadri relates the events of Bloody Sunday when 'British troops indiscriminately started shooting at the innocent spectators and the sportsman'. 'One of the very famous Irish sportsmen Michael Hogan also was one of the victims of this slaughter, so no wonder Croke Park holds a significant place and is sacred place in the hearts of millions of Irish people. 'And we, as Muslims understand that, we honour that and we respect that immensely, but it is important for you to understand that Croke Park, the venue, has been used for various different events. 'It has been used to accommodate musical events, it has been accommodating commercial events, it has also opened its doors for other faith communities. 'So, (to) these people that say the celebration of Eid in Croke Park undermines Christian value, I ask, when did they object to commercial events? When did they object to the musical events. When did they object to the events that take place in Croke Park that go against the Christian teachings? 'Did they ever object, did they ever protest? They did not. And the reason is not because these people want to defend Christian values. 'Most of these people do not even agree with the Christian faith leaders. Most of these people consider the Christian faith leaders, including the Pope, as traitors. 'Most of these people do not even attend Sunday Mass, most haven't studied the Christian faith (or) the Bible. 'Did they know that at many Eid events in Croke Park previously we have had as main guests the archbishops of the Catholic Church as well as of the Church of Ireland? 'If the Eid in Croke Park in any way undermines Christian values, why did the faith leaders attend? 'This is not just an event for Muslims in fact, as the organiser, I have always invited people of various different backgrounds. 'As I mentioned the archbishops have always been there, other faith leaders have attended including Rabbi Zalman Lent of the Jewish community. 'We also invited political leaders, and politicians have attended. We've had our very own president, the honourable Michael D Higgins send out an Eid message to the Muslim community. 'So, these people that believe that we're undermining Christian or Irish values, they obviously have no clue.' Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri also extended an invitation to anybody that is genuinely interested in dialogue or in understanding the Muslim faith and community 'and wants to build bridges to reach out to me and meet up'.
RTÉ News
06-06-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Protests as Muslim community marks Eid al-Adha in Dublin
Over 300 members of the Muslim community have gathered in Dublin to celebrate Eid al-Adha. The feast of the sacrifice is regarded as the holiest festival in the Muslim calendar and is being celebrated indoors at Croke Park. A group protested outside the venue as attendees arrived. Imam Umar Al-Qadri went out and wished them a good morning. Inside, as the call to prayer began, a woman stood up holding a rosary beads and began to recite the Hail Mary. She was escorted from the venue by security shouting "shame". She said the grounds were for games and not prayers. Only Catholic prayers. There was no reaction from members of the Muslim Community who have gathered, which includes children. Addressing them, Umar al Quadri said the tactics were "not nice or respectable". He said the doors of mosques are open for Irish people to visit. He also noted that organisers of today's event include Christians.
Sunday World
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Thousands sign petition to 'prevent closure' of mosque in Clonskeagh
'We cannot overstate how vital the ICCI is to our lives and the essential role it plays in serving the community' Thousands of people have signed a petition to prevent the closure of a mosque in Clonskeagh. It comes after the the Islamic Cultural Centre said it was left with no choice but to close temporarily to the public after a 'deeply troubling' incident said to have occurred last Saturday. A notice posted to the gates of the centre, which also houses a mosque and a Muslim school, said the campus will remain closed until a full investigation is carried out and robust safety and security protocols are implemented. The notice said the incident was an "unprecedented and distressing attack' on the mosque, centre and board members on April 19 that left management with no choice but to temporarily close the centre. 'The decision has been made with the utmost concern for the safety and well-being of our community, especially the children of the Muslim National School,' said the notice that is signed 'management'. A petition created on Tuesday has been signed by more than 2,000 people. 'We, the undersigned members of the community, write this petition to express our profound concern over the closure of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI). As the largest place of worship for Muslims in Ireland, the ICCI has been a cornerstone of our community for decades,' the petition reads. 'We understand that the ICCI faces closure due to recent challenges and events. While these circumstances are regrettable, we assure the donors that our community is wholeheartedly committed to resolving any issues. 'Furthermore, we cannot overstate how vital the ICCI is to our lives and the essential role it plays in serving the community,' the petition continues. It emphasised that the community 'bears no blame for what is happening and is not a party to the conflict' and questions why they should be punished. 'We appeal to everyone involved to prioritise the collective interest of the community, regardless of any personal objectives.' Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, who is leader of a mosque in west Dublin, told RTE News he believes that issues have arisen about the operation of the centre. However, he said his message to the community is that there is "no cause for alarm" and what is happening is a "transitional period". He added that he believes the centre will reopen under "renewed administration" and this would be a "step towards unity and progress." It has been reported that videos circulating on social media, believed to be from Saturday, show large groups of people inside and outside the mosque arguing with each other. The Islamic Cultural Centre has been operating in Clonskeagh since 1996 and is one of the biggest for Ireland's Muslim population, the majority of whom live in Dublin. The centre serves the majority of the estimated 55,000 Muslim population. It hosts large celebrations and has hosted several high-profile visits and services.
Sunday World
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Islamic Cultural Centre in Dublin closes to the public following ‘deeply troubling' incident
A notice posted on the gates of the centre in Clonskeagh, which also houses a mosque and a Muslim school, said the campus will remain closed until a full investigation is carried out The Islamic Cultural Centre in Clonskeagh in Dublin has said it was left with no choice but to close temporarily to the public after a 'deeply troubling' incident said to have occurred last Saturday. A notice posted to the gates of the centre, which also houses a mosque and a Muslim school, said the campus will remain closed until a full investigation is carried out and robust safety and security protocols are implemented. The notice said the incident was "unprecedented and distressing". The notice said there was an 'unprecedented and distressing attack' on the mosque, centre and board members on April 19th that left management with no choice but to temporarily close the centre. 'The decision has been made with the utmost concern for the safety and well-being of our community, especially the children of the Muslim National School,' said the notice that is signed 'management'. It said the move was "a deeply sorrowful moment in the history of the Mosque and Centre". Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, who is leader of a mosque in west Dublin, told RTE News he believes that issues have arisen about the operation of the centre. However, he said his message to the community is that there is "no cause for alarm" and what is happening is a "transitional period". He added that he believes the centre will reopen under "renewed administration" and this would be a "step towards unity and progress." It has been reported that videos circulating on social media, believed to be from Saturday, show large groups of people inside and outside the mosque arguing with each other. The Islamic Cultural Centre has been operating in Clonskeagh since 1996 and is one of the biggest for Ireland's Muslim population, the majority of whom live in Dublin. The centre serves the majority of the estimated 55,000 Muslim population. It hosts large celebrations and has hosted several high-profile visits and services.
Irish Independent
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Islamic Cultural Centre in Dublin closes to the public following ‘deeply troubling' incident
A notice posted to the gates of the centre, which also houses a mosque and a Muslim school, said the campus will remain closed until a full investigation is carried out and robust safety and security protocols are implemented. The notice said the incident was "unprecedented and distressing". The notice said there was an 'unprecedented and distressing attack' on the mosque, centre and board members on April 19 that left management with no choice but to temporarily close the centre. 'The decision has been made with the utmost concern for the safety and well-being of our community, especially the children of the Muslim National School,' said the notice, signed 'management'. It said the move was "a deeply sorrowful moment in the history of the Mosque and Centre". Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, who is leader of a mosque in west Dublin, told RTÉ News he believes that issues have arisen about the operation of the centre. However, he said his message to the community is that there is "no cause for alarm" and what is happening is a "transitional period". He added that he believes the centre will reopen under "renewed administration" and this would be a "step towards unity and progress'. It has been reported that videos circulating on social media, believed to be from Saturday, show large groups of people inside and outside the mosque arguing with each other. The Islamic Cultural Centre has been operating in Clonskeagh since 1996 and is one of the biggest for Ireland's Muslim population, the majority of whom live in Dublin. The centre serves the majority of the estimated 55,000 Muslim population. It hosts large celebrations and has hosted several high-profile visits and services.
