PRESS STATEMENT

The Irish Muslim Council strongly condemns today’s shocking arson attack on a Mosque on Talbot Street in Dublin city centre. The reported petrol bomb 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.

This incident comes after weeks of repeated intimidation directed at this Mosque. On numerous occasions, individuals associated with the far right entered the mosque, livestreamed 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. While the Garda investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding today’s attack, sustained hate-filled rhetoric and organised intimidation create an environment in which extremists may feel emboldened to commit acts of violence.

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.

We call on An Garda Síochána to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. We also urge political leaders, social media companies and all sectors of society to confront hate speech, organised intimidation and extremist propaganda before further violence occurs.

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. We remain committed to working with people of all faiths and backgrounds to uphold the values of mutual respect, justice and peaceful coexistence.

Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri
Chairperson
Irish Muslim Council