Ireland's Muslims were praised yesterday by Minister of State for Integration Conor Lenihan for their "uniquely valuable" contribution to Irish society and for representing among themselves a diversity which was an example to the wider community.
Noting that Muslims were among the oldest of our newer immigrant groups, in that members of the community had been here for "20/30" years, he said such longevity had allowed for the development of "a very special relationship" between them and Irish society but also, through them, between Ireland and the wider and very diverse Muslim world.
He was speaking at a first and special ceremony at the mosque in Clonskeagh, Co Dublin, yesterday, to mark the holy month of Ramadan, which begins today. Also there were representatives of the recently constituted Irish Council of Imams.
Mr Lenihan praised in particular Imam Ali al Seleh, of the Shia mosque in Milltown Co Dublin, for his help in securing the release of journalist Rory Carroll who was kidnapped in Iraq last year. Imam al Seleh, who was present yesterday, is Iraqi, though an Irish citizen.
Also in attendance yesterday were Imam Hussein Halawa, Clonskeagh, Imam Yahya Al Hussein, South Circular Road, Imam Zille Umar Qadri, Clonee, and Imam Umar Khadrawi, Tallaght mosque
Ali Selim, general secretary of the Irish Council of Imams, praised the manner in which authorities here were dealing with Ireland's estimated 40,000 Muslims. He noted in particular how the HSE had approached his office to see how it might best provide appropriate care for members of the faith.
