Irish Muslims condemn actions of Islamic State

The Islamic Cultural Centre Ireland (ICCI), based in Dublin’s Clonskeagh, has strongly condemned Islamic State (IS), which , it says, is acting contrary to the teachings of Islam.

In a statement it states that “in full conformity with Islamic teachings” it “vehemently abhors and deplores terrorism of all kinds regardless of the perpetrators’ race and faith.”

The statement comes a day after s the Islamic State posted a video showing the American journalist James Foley being beheaded.

The cultural centre points out that “murder, the most horrendous act of terrorism, is strictly forbidden in Islam” and that “Allah states that the murder of one person is as evil as killing all people. In the Qur’an it is stated: “whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption (done)in the land – it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.”

Continue reading at Irish Times

Muslim wanted for terrorism in US sues Irish prison for preventing religious practices

Ali Charaf Damache
Photo by Irish Independent

Ali Charaf Damache (47), an Algerian with Irish citizenship, has begun to sue several Irish institutions claiming that he was not permitted to practice his Muslim religion while being held in a Cork prison in 2011.

The Irish Independent reports that Damache, who is wanted in the US on terror-related charges, has since been moved from Cork Prison to Cloverhill Prison in Dublin. He will remain there pending the outcome of the extradition request from the US.

Damache has since brought proceedings against the governor of Cork Prison, the Irish Prison Services, the Minister for Justice and the Attorney General. He claims he was subjected to abuse and insults from both staff and inmates at Cork Prison and was prevented from practicing his religion.

 Source: Irish Central

Ireland resident dies fighting in Syria

Alaa Ciymeh (26), a Jordanian-born man who grew up in Ireland has been killed fighting with rebel forces in Syria. Source: Irish Times

Source: Irish Times

A Jordanian-born man who grew up in Ireland has been killed fighting with rebel forces in Syria.

The circumstances surrounding the death of Alaa Ciymeh (26) remain unclear given the difficulties of obtaining reliable information from inside the country.

His father, who lives in Dublin, was informed of his son’s death this week. Mourners gathered at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland in Clonskeagh, Dublin, on Wednesday to offer condolences to the family.

The Ciymeh family, who are Palestinian, moved to Ireland when Alaa was very young. He attended the Muslim National School in Clonskeagh, before going on to study at De La Salle College in Churchtown.

Continue reading

Muslims find a welcoming home in famously Catholic Ireland

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.

Continue reading

Related articles

• Ireland’s largest mosque in Clongriffin set for construction (muslimireland.wordpress.com)

Irish ‘Hijabi Monologues’ breaks down stereotypes

‘Hijabi Monologues’ Source: The Journal

Source: The Journal (Ireland)

The experiences of Muslim women in Ireland will be explored when an Irish version of the Hijabi Monologues receives its European premiere in Dublin this month.

The council says the show can break down stereotypes and assumptions around Muslim women in Ireland, with personal and true stories being dramatised. The production is being co-hosted with the ICI, the British Council and axis theatre, Ballymun.

Continue reading

Dublin city council says yes to €40m Islamic cultural centre

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.

Continue reading

Related articles

• Ireland’s largest mosque in Clongriffin set for construction (muslimireland.wordpress.com)

Dublin drama celebrates veiled Muslim women

Source: On Islam

Breaking down stereotypes and assumptions about female Muslims in Ireland, a new drama would be staged next year in Dublin to present personal and true stories of successful veiled Muslim women.

“Over 49,000 Muslims now call Ireland home,” Denise Charlton, CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, said in a statement on the council’s website on Monday, November 26.

“They are playing a positive role in our society and are active in every part of Irish life.

The drama, entitled the “Hijabi Monologues”, is planned to be staged on the Axis Theatre in Ballymun, Dublin, next year.

“The aim of this production is to reflect that reality and to breakdown misconceptions which people may have about the Muslim community.”

Continue reading

Ireland’s growing reputation as a hub for Islamic finance operations

Source: The Daily Business Post

Islamic finance company Amanie Advisors is to set-up an operation in Dublin, IDA Ireland has said.

Amanie was established in Kuala Lumpur in 2005 and provides its clients with advice on the Islamic capital markets, structured finance and fundraising solutions.

From its Dublin office the company will also give advice on product structuring that complies with Islam’s Sharia law as well as Sharia supervisory and monitoring services, annual Sharia reviews and Sharia screening for equities.

Amanie said it chose Ireland for this investment due to its growing reputation as a hub for Islamic finance operations.

There are around $1 billion (€800 million) of Sharia-compliant funds in Ireland while around 20 per cent of all Sharia funds outside the Middle East are now based in Ireland, IDA Ireland said. It is the IDA’s first investment win from a Malaysian company.

Continue reading

Plan to build massive new Islamic Centre in Dublin

Source: Irish Central

According to reports in the Irish Times, “a Dublin-based Muslim group with support from many parts of the world has agreed purchase terms for the six-acre site located close to the Gannon-funded Dart station.”

Previous reports in the Irish Times stated that the new development, “could put Ireland in a very favorable position in the Muslim world and lead to significant inward investment.”

The development will include the mosque and support facilities, including a 34-classroom school, conference centre, assembly hall, playground and swimming pool. It has been designed by Paula Gill of architects Conroy Crowe Kelly.

Moulana Ghulam Ahmed Rabbani Speech at Google in Dublin Protest