The Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council views the closure of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI) 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. 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.
This moment must be a turning point. We pray the ICCI opens under new leadership that embodies the true principles of Islam:
Transparency & Accountability : The funding from Al-Maktoum Foundation is an amanah (trust) from Allah (SWT). Financial mismanagement and secrecy must end.
True Unity : The ICCI must serve all Muslims without discrimination. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The believers are like one body in their mutual love and mercy.” (Muslim) A mosque that divides has failed its purpose.
Moderation & Wisdom : The ICCI must be a beacon of balanced, mainstream Islam, rejecting extremism, sectarianism, and politicisation. It must embody the Qur’anic ideal: “Thus We have made you a middle nation” (Al-Baqarah 2:143).
Empowering Our Youth : A mosque that ignores its youth has no future. The ICCI must provide spaces for young Muslims to lead, learn, and contribute…not be sidelined by outdated hierarchies.
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 cooperation 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.
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. The Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council stands ready to assist in this process. 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.
Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council
