The attacks on New York and Washington were denounced as "unimaginable acts of terror" in Clonskeagh mosque in Dublin yesterday.
Imam Hussein Halawa made the events the focus of his speech at the weekly prayer.
"We strongly denounce and condemn any aggression, terrorism and killing perpetrated against the innocent people in any corner of the world and in particular this horrible terrorist act which took place in America." The Imam said the people who had been killed had committed no crime.
He warned against "groundless accusations" being levelled against the Islamic religion. "Unfortunately, whenever any problem or disaster occurs in any place on earth, whenever any mine gets exploded or any person gets killed, accusations are automatically, unfairly and aggressively raised against Islam.
"I call on the world to think thoroughly and rationally, not to make of Islam and Muslims an enemy and not to punish the innocent for the crime of the guilty."
He said that in the past Islam had protected non-Muslims and offered them safety and security. "It never meant to frighten or terrorise anyone."
Speaking after the prayer, Mr Tariq Bashir, a Pakistani who has been living in Ireland for two years, condemned the attacks.
"The only thing I can say is all five fingers are not the same. There are bad people and there are good people. If it was done by a Muslim, it was done by a bad Muslim."
Ms Fatimah Ismail, an Irish woman who has converted to Islam, pointed out that sectarian terrorism in Ireland had not turned people away from their religion. "You must judge a religion by its philosophy, not by the behavioural patterns of adherents to it."
More than 90 abusive phone calls were received by the Islamic Foundation of Ireland in Dublin yesterday, according to a spokesman. "The calls ranged from people showing sheer anger to using the lowest of low words about Muslims."
"Our religion means peace; it means to submit to the word of God. I feel sad, angry and dismayed," he said.
About six Irish people called the centre to show solidarity with Muslims living in Ireland in the aftermath of the attacks.
