News and opinion
Source: Irish Independent
The revelation came as construction work is expected to begin next year on Ireland’s largest mosque.
The Clongriffin centre, on Dublin’s northside, will be the largest Islamic religious complex in the State and will also boast a major cultural centre.
An Bord Pleanala earlier this year granted planning permission for the three-storey complex, which is earmarked for a six-acre site owned by developer Gerry Gannon.
Source: Statesman
Abdul Hassib, who is involved in the Islamic Cultural Centre being established up in Clongriffin, writes about the experience of Ramadan in Ireland
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle. The lunar calendar is about 10 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. Consequently, the month of Ramadan falls during different seasons every decade or so.
Fasting is considered to be a pillar of Islam, as it is mentioned in the Quran: “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you (O Muslims) just as it was prescribed for people before you, so that you may be more pious.” [Quran, 2:183]
For Muslims, fasting was not a new thing. Before the advent of the Prophet of Islam in Arabia, people of different faiths fasted in different ways and forms. With the establishment of Islam, fasting became a cornerstone of Islam practiced by Muslims with great enthusiasm and passion.
By Megan O’Neil for The Atlantic
Perhaps because of its strong religious background, the nation has been more accepting of Islam than many of its European neighbors.
A new 60,000-square-foot development is likely to generate friction in any urban setting, much less a mosque in the capital of a historically Catholic country.
And yet a proposal to construct a multi-use Islamic center — including a three-story domed mosque, school, and fitness facility — in the north Dublin neighborhood of Clongriffin has triggered little of the anti-Muslim blowback surrounding similar projects in other parts of Europe and in the United States.
By Jack Fagan in Irish Times
Development work is expected to get under way early next year on an Islamic Cultural Centre including a large mosque at Clongriffin on the northern fringe of Dublin city following the granting of planning permission for the ¤40 million complex by Dublin City Council.
The six-acre campus is being promoted by a Dublin-based Muslim group and will be developed by businessman Gerry Gannon on part of the extensive lands he owns at Clongriffin.
The overall plans prepared by architects Conroy Crowe Kelly provide for a three-storey domed mosque and cultural centre including a prayer hall, meeting rooms, creche and library extending to 5,573sq m (60,000sq ft).
City planners have banned the use of public address announcements or a call to prayer which could be audible outside the centre.
Mosque development will cost in the region of €40m Source: RTÉ news
Source: RTÉ news
Plans for Ireland’s biggest mosque have been given the go-ahead by Dublin City Council for a site in the north of the city.
The six-acre site in Clongriffin will be able to cater for up to 3,000 Muslims during festivals.
One condition of the planning permission is that there is no call to prayer audible outside the complex.
The development will consist of a three-storey domed mosque with minarets, a conference centre, primary and secondary schools and fitness centre with swimming pool.
Mosque for 3,000 gets go-ahead in capital
Source: Irish Independent
The development, to be built in Clongriffin, north Dublin, will become Ireland’s largest Muslim Cultural Centre catering to the 40,000-strong community living in the capital.
The application to Dublin City Council was submitted by an organisation called the Dublin Welfare Society.
It was approved by planners and will cost a staggering €40m, which is believed to be coming from a backer in the United Arab Emirates.
Clongriffin is a new town on the northern fringe of Dublin city.
It was slated for widescale development at the end of the Celtic Tiger era and while many homes and apartments were built in the area, there are large stretches of wasteland and some ghost estates.
Muslim Ireland 