One of Ireland’s most prominent mosques, the Islamic Cultural Centre in Clonskeagh, Dublin, has been temporarily closed to the public following an incident over the weekend believed to stem from internal tensions.
Footage circulating online, reportedly filmed on Saturday, shows large groups of people involved in heated exchanges both inside and outside the mosque. Security personnel are seen intervening in an attempt to defuse the situation.
A notice posted on the mosque’s gates confirmed the centre will remain closed pending a full investigation. The statement described the incident as “unprecedented and distressing” and said the decision to close was taken out of concern for public safety, especially that of children attending the adjacent Muslim National School.
“This is a deeply sorrowful moment in the history of the Mosque and Centre,” the notice read, adding that safety protocols and internal operations will be reviewed and strengthened.
The news has sent ripples through Ireland’s Muslim community, with many expressing concern over the abrupt closure of a spiritual and cultural cornerstone.
Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, a respected cleric based in west Dublin, commented on the situation, describing it as a period of internal transition rather than one of crisis. He encouraged the community to remain calm and expressed confidence that the centre would reopen under renewed leadership.
“This is a step towards unity and progress,” he said.
Operating since 1996, the Clonskeagh centre has played a central role in Islamic religious and cultural life in Ireland. It regularly hosts celebrations for key religious festivals like Ramadan and Eid and has welcomed numerous high-profile figures over the years.
According to the 2022 census, the Muslim population in Ireland stands at over 81,000, with the majority residing in Dublin. The Clonskeagh mosque remains one of the largest and most significant places of worship for the community.
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Footage circulating online, reportedly filmed on Saturday, shows large groups of people involved in heated exchanges both inside and outside the mosque. Security personnel are seen intervening in an attempt to defuse the situation.
A notice posted on the mosque’s gates confirmed the centre will remain closed pending a full investigation. The statement described the incident as “unprecedented and distressing” and said the decision to close was taken out of concern for public safety, especially that of children attending the adjacent Muslim National School.
“This is a deeply sorrowful moment in the history of the Mosque and Centre,” the notice read, adding that safety protocols and internal operations will be reviewed and strengthened.
The news has sent ripples through Ireland’s Muslim community, with many expressing concern over the abrupt closure of a spiritual and cultural cornerstone.
Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, a respected cleric based in west Dublin, commented on the situation, describing it as a period of internal transition rather than one of crisis. He encouraged the community to remain calm and expressed confidence that the centre would reopen under renewed leadership.
“This is a step towards unity and progress,” he said.
Operating since 1996, the Clonskeagh centre has played a central role in Islamic religious and cultural life in Ireland. It regularly hosts celebrations for key religious festivals like Ramadan and Eid and has welcomed numerous high-profile figures over the years.
According to the 2022 census, the Muslim population in Ireland stands at over 81,000, with the majority residing in Dublin. The Clonskeagh mosque remains one of the largest and most significant places of worship for the community.
Closure of Islamic centre after 'unprecedented' incident
The Islamic Cultural Centre in Clonskeagh in Dublin has been closed to the public after an incident at the weekend.
