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Irish Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
School at Dublin Islamic Centre to reopen with heavy security on Monday
The Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland in South Dublin , which was closed last week as part of a bitter internal dispute, is to reopen its national school and creche on Monday with heavy security. However, the rest of the campus, including the mosque which is the largest in Ireland, will remain closed. The centre's management has said it will remain closed until a full security review takes place. It has stated it fears there may be an attempt to forcibly take over the property. The Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI), in Clonskeagh, South Dublin, closed its doors last week following a physical confrontation at a meeting which had to be broke up by gardaí. READ MORE Gardaí maintained a presence outside the centre over the weekend while several dozen private security guards patrolled the interior. [ Concerns raised over alleged financial irregularities and links with extremist ideology at Dublin mosque Opens in new window ] The decision to close the centre was taken by the Al Maktoum Foundation, a United Arab Emirates (UAE) charity which owns the centre and provides about €2.5 million a year in funding. It has raised concerns about alleged financial irregularities at the centre as well as alleged links between some members and extremist ideologies. Zahid Jamil, a Dubai-based lawyer and a member of the foundation's board, said on Sunday the national school and creche will reopen on Monday morning. It is understood there will be a significant security presence at the gates and that only children and staff will be permitted to enter. Mr Jamil said the foundation's board has been working with the management of the school to ensure it can reopen. He said it has worked out arrangements for security and protection and that it is grateful to the Irish authorities for their assistance. 'The Muslim National School is exactly the kind of organisation that fosters integration and works against extremism,' he said. The Al Maktoum Foundation has sent Mr Jamil and an auditor to Ireland to examine the finances of the centre. Concerns have been raised about the management of charitable donations, including funds raised for Gaza and the use of cash payments. The foundation has also raised concerns about alleged links between officials and the Muslim Brotherhood, an international Islamist organisation which the UAE claims is a terrorist organisation. To date, no official complaint has been made to gardaí about these matters. Garda sources said its only involvement with the centre has been to ensure the safety of attendees and to prevent any public order breaches. It has also received information relating to a petrol canister found on the grounds of the centre. In a statement last week, the Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council backed the board's moves and said that for 'too long' the mosque has been controlled by people 'who fail to represent the diversity of Irish Muslims'. It criticised individuals 'who prioritised power over service, division over unity, and stagnation over progress, including elements with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood'.
Irish Examiner
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Closure of Islamic centre a result of ‘decades of failed leadership'
The temporary closure of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI) is a result of 'decades of failed leadership' and 'mismanagement', the Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council has claimed. The centre in Clonskeagh in south Dublin will remain closed until further notice and an investigation and security review takes place following an incident last weekend. It remained closed for Friday prayer, however, a number of people arrived at the gates of the centre to pray. A number of gardaí maintained a presence outside the centre throughout Friday. People gather to pray at the locked gates of the Islamic Cultural Centre in Clonskeagh, Co Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA) In a statement, the Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council said the mosque 'fails to represent the diversity of Irish Muslims', and accused it of alienating its community. 'The Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council views the closure of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland not as an isolated incident, but as the culmination of three decades of failed leadership, where personal interests were consistently placed above the needs of the community,' it said on Friday. 'This institution, gifted to the Muslims of Ireland by the Al-Maktoum Foundation, was meant to be a thriving hub of faith, education and unity. 'Instead, it has been stifled by mismanagement, exclusion and a lack of vision, preventing it from ever reaching its true potential. 'For too long, the ICCI has been controlled by individuals who prioritised power over service, division over unity, and stagnation over progress, including elements with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, an organisation banned in multiple Arab states for its exploitation of religion for political ends. 'The result? A mosque that fails to represent the diversity of Irish Muslims, an administration that neglects its financial and moral accountability, and a leadership that has alienated the very community it was meant to serve. 'We call upon those previously entrusted with the ICCI's management to put aside personal interests and ego, recognising this is not about individuals but about safeguarding the future of Islam in Ireland. 'In light of longstanding governance failures, we urge them to engage in genuine reconciliation by demonstrating true leadership through voluntarily relinquishing control to allow for necessary renewal. 'We expect their full co-operation with the Al-Maktoum Foundation to facilitate a smooth transition of leadership to a new, representative management body capable of restoring trust and progress for our community. A notice of temporary closure on the gates of the Islamic Cultural Centre (Brian Lawless/PA) 'The ICCI belongs to the Muslim community, not to any one group. It is time for a fresh start, one built on transparency, unity, and genuine service.' In a sign posted at the centre's entrance gate, it said there is a temporary closure of the mosque and centre. 'We regret to inform you that, following the deeply troubling incident that took place on April 19 2025 – an unprecedented and distressing attack on our mosque and centre, and members of the board – we have no choice but to temporarily close the mosque and centre to the public,' it said. 'This decision has been made with the utmost concern for the safety and wellbeing of our community, especially the children of the Muslim National School. 'The closure will remain in effect until we are able to: complete a full investigation into the events of April 19; review and implement robust safety and security protocols. 'This is a deeply sorrowful moment in the history of our mosque and centre. 'We ask for your continued support and prayers as we work toward recovery and renewal during this difficult time. Sincerely, management.'
The Journal
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Islamic Cultural Centre in Dublin remains closed today following internal 'crisis'
THE ISLAMIC CULTURAL Centre of Ireland in Clonskeagh, Dublin will remain closed today for weekly Muslim prayer service following an incident last weekend. The centre said this morning that a new board has been appointed and is now carrying out a 'full review' while the premises remain closed. 'The Islamic Centre in Clonskeagh has been temporarily closed by decision of the newly appointed Board of Directors as a preventive measure to ensure the safety and security of the property, staff, children and members of the public,' the centre said. The centre said it was looking to undertake 'reforms' that it said will 'enhance the Centre's ability to fulfill its mission' as an educational and faith-based instition for Muslims in Ireland. The breakdown in relations among the operators of the centre has been described as a 'crisis' by the Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council, the national representative body for Muslims in Ireland. It has urged parties to find a way to reopen the centre and ensure its place as a 'thriving hub of faith, education, and unity' for Ireland's Muslim community. National school The Muslim National School also sits on the grounds of the Islamic Cultural Centre, and The Journal understands that talks are underway to ensure it reopens next Monday after its annual spring break. Advertisement The centre was founded almost 30 years ago with funding from the Dubai-based Al-Maktoum Foundation. A sign posted at the gate of the complex this week said that following 'a deeply troubling incident' last Saturday, 'we have no choice but to temporarily close the Mosque and Centre'. The notice described Saturday's incident as 'an unprecedented attack on our mosque, centre and members of the board'. Footage taken from inside and outside the centre over the weekend, and seen by The Journal , shows chaotic scenes and scuffles taking place. In the videos, men can be seen shouting and pushing back and forth against one another. Gardaí are also present inside and outside the centre and in one video, they are seen removing a man from a room after breaking up a scuffle. Gardaí told The Journal that they 'responded to a civil matter' at the property last Saturday and have had no further involvement since. The Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council said it was 'time for a fresh start' and added that the institute 'belongs to the Muslim community, not to any one group'. 'With our experience in community representation, mediation, and institution building, we are willing to play an active role in reconciliation efforts and the reopening of the ICCI; ensuring it becomes the inclusive, transparent, and dynamic mosque that Irish Muslims deserve,' the council said. With reporting by David Mac Redmond Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
