An Islamic prayer center in Dublin, Ireland was torched in what's believed to have been an arson attack. A man in his 40s has been arrested, the Irish Independent reports, and is detained by police in the Dublin North City area.
The building on Talbot Street housed the Al-Madinah prayer hall, and the fire led to street closures. Large plumes of black smoke came from the building though officers say there were no injuries, though emergency services attended the blaze.
CCTV is being used as Irish police, or gardai, have opened an investigation, calling the fire an "incident of criminal damage by fire." The Irish Times notes that they are "keeping an open mind as to the cause but have not linked the fire to far right, or racist, motives."
Chairman of the Irish Muslim Council Shaykh Dr. Umar Al-Qadri said in a statement, "The reported attack, carried out on a Monday afternoon in broad daylight, is a deeply disturbing assault on a place of worship and an attack on the fundamental values of peace, religious freedom and community safety that Ireland holds dear. Our thoughts are with the congregation and all those affected by this appalling act. Every person must be able to attend their place of worship without fear, intimidation or violence."
Al-Qadri went on to claim that there had been weeks of "repeated intimidation directed at this mosque."
He added, "On numerous occasions, individuals have entered the mosque, live streamed worshippers on social media platforms, interrogated members of the congregation, and spread inflammatory and false narratives portraying Muslims as a threat to Irish society.
"Such campaigns of harassment and dehumanisation are reckless and dangerous. The Irish Muslim Council has repeatedly warned about the growing threat posed by anti-Muslim hatred and far-right extremism. Today’s attack demonstrates that when hatred is normalised and incitement is left unchecked, the consequences can be grave." He demanded that those responsible "are brought to justice."
"The Muslim community has long been an integral part of Irish society, contributing positively to every aspect of national life. We will not be intimidated by those who seek to divide our communities through fear and hatred," he concluded.
The fire began on Monday with fire fighters arriving just before 4 pm. "Smoke was reported to be issuing from the building and a full evacuation of the premises took place. Firefighting operations are ongoing," said the Dublin Fire Brigade.
The fire at the Islamic prayer center comes as there have been rising tensions in Ireland and the UK over mass migration of persons from across the Muslim world, mostly north Africa and the Middle East. A recent stabbing murder of an 18-year-old student in the UK by a Sikh man who told officers that the student had made racist remarks, leading to his killing galvanized a public who has seen their resources go to newcomers while the native population suffers.
In Northern Ireland, a man was nearly beheaded by an African migrant who came across the open border between Ireland and the north after having gained entry to the EU. The public outcry in Ireland led to protests, confrontations with police, and intimidation of migrants who have had access to welfare benefits, including housing, paid for by Irish taxes.
The building on Talbot Street housed the Al-Madinah prayer hall, and the fire led to street closures. Large plumes of black smoke came from the building though officers say there were no injuries, though emergency services attended the blaze.
CCTV is being used as Irish police, or gardai, have opened an investigation, calling the fire an "incident of criminal damage by fire." The Irish Times notes that they are "keeping an open mind as to the cause but have not linked the fire to far right, or racist, motives."
Chairman of the Irish Muslim Council Shaykh Dr. Umar Al-Qadri said in a statement, "The reported attack, carried out on a Monday afternoon in broad daylight, is a deeply disturbing assault on a place of worship and an attack on the fundamental values of peace, religious freedom and community safety that Ireland holds dear. Our thoughts are with the congregation and all those affected by this appalling act. Every person must be able to attend their place of worship without fear, intimidation or violence."
Al-Qadri went on to claim that there had been weeks of "repeated intimidation directed at this mosque."
He added, "On numerous occasions, individuals have entered the mosque, live streamed worshippers on social media platforms, interrogated members of the congregation, and spread inflammatory and false narratives portraying Muslims as a threat to Irish society.
"Such campaigns of harassment and dehumanisation are reckless and dangerous. The Irish Muslim Council has repeatedly warned about the growing threat posed by anti-Muslim hatred and far-right extremism. Today’s attack demonstrates that when hatred is normalised and incitement is left unchecked, the consequences can be grave." He demanded that those responsible "are brought to justice."
"The Muslim community has long been an integral part of Irish society, contributing positively to every aspect of national life. We will not be intimidated by those who seek to divide our communities through fear and hatred," he concluded.
The fire began on Monday with fire fighters arriving just before 4 pm. "Smoke was reported to be issuing from the building and a full evacuation of the premises took place. Firefighting operations are ongoing," said the Dublin Fire Brigade.
The fire at the Islamic prayer center comes as there have been rising tensions in Ireland and the UK over mass migration of persons from across the Muslim world, mostly north Africa and the Middle East. A recent stabbing murder of an 18-year-old student in the UK by a Sikh man who told officers that the student had made racist remarks, leading to his killing galvanized a public who has seen their resources go to newcomers while the native population suffers.
In Northern Ireland, a man was nearly beheaded by an African migrant who came across the open border between Ireland and the north after having gained entry to the EU. The public outcry in Ireland led to protests, confrontations with police, and intimidation of migrants who have had access to welfare benefits, including housing, paid for by Irish taxes.
