A Historical Background on the Islamic Existence in Ireland.

The documented history of the Islamic existence in Ireland goes back to the 1950's. This was represented in the Muslim students who came to Ireland to study. Before this time very little or nothing is known about Islam and Muslims in this country. The first Islamic Society established in Ireland was in 1959. It was established by the Muslim students and was called the Dublin Islamic Society (later called the Islamic Foundation of Ireland). At that time there was no Mosque in Dublin, the students used to pray Jumu'ah and the Eid prayers in houses or in rented halls. In 1969 the students started contacting their relatives and some Islamic organizations and Muslim countries for the purpose of collecting donations to establish a Mosque. In 1976 the first Mosque and Islamic Centre in Ireland was opened in a four storey building at No. 7, Harrington Street, Dublin 8. Among those who contributed to the project of the Mosque and Islamic Centre was the late King Faisal ibn Abdel Aziz, In 1981 the Ministry of Endowment and Islamic Affairs in Kuwait sponsored a full time Imam for the Mosque. Since then there were four Imams who filled this post. A few years after the establishment of the first Islamic Centre and Mosque in Dublin, the Mosque itself became too small for the increasing numbers of worshippers. The Muslims in charge of the society started a second campaign to collect donations in order to establish a bigger Mosque. In 1983 the present building of the Dublin Mosque and Islamic Centre was bought, renovated and the headquarters of the Society moved from Harrington Street to 163, South Circular Road, Dublin 8. The building at Harrington Street was later sold as it was no longer used as a mosque, and for the money it generated some Waqf property was bought in the area of the new Mosque

The Cork Muslim Society

The Cork Muslim Society was established in 1984. Cork is the second largest city in Ireland after Dublin. For a number of years the Muslims were praying in a rented house.  Its membership is open to all Muslims in Co. Cork. The local Muslims choose a committee annually to run the Mosque and community affairs. In 1994 a house was bought to be used as a Mosque and Islamic Centre for the Muslim community in Cork. There is a problem, which is facing the Muslims in Cork right now. This has to do with the refusal of the Local Authority to allow Muslims to continue using the house as a Mosque. The Cork Corporation is saying that Muslims have not obtained planning permission to change the use of the property from a single dwelling into a Mosque. This problem arose after complaints were made to the Cork Corporation, the Local Authority regarding the manner in which Muslims park their cars when they attend the Mosque on Fridays. This is something, which caused traffic chaos in the area. Right now the Muslims in Cork are seeking to obtain a more suitable place, which is a bigger house with parking facilities. This is especially needed in light of the increase in the number of Muslims in Cork.

The Cork Corporation decided to close the Mosque in February 2001 following complaints from the neighbours. At present local Muslims in Cork are praying in a rented accommodation awaiting the establishment of their Mosque in new premises.

The Muslims in Cork are seeking to obtain a more suitable and bigger place with parking facilities. This is especially needed in light of the increase in the number of Muslims in Cork.

The main Problems and challenges facing Islamic work in Ireland:
a) The upbringing and education of children in the non-Islamic environment. Many of the young Muslim generation lack a proper Islamic education; therefore many of them could easily deviate.
b) Mixed Marriages with all the problems accompanying them, such as marital disagreement and divorce due to the different cultural backgrounds. Children suffer as a result.
c) Insufficient financial resources due to the small size of the community in Ireland. The lack of Mosques in many cities. On the other hand the existing Mosques are small and do not satisfy the needs of the Muslim community.
d) The teaching of the Arabic language for the new Muslim generations, even to those from Arabic background.
e) Differences and disagreements between Muslims, especially those who are affiliated to different Islamic groups even though the vast majority of Muslims in Ireland do not belong to any particular Islamic group. Most of these disagreements and disputes appeared after the arrival of asylum seekers in Ireland.

For a more information:
http://www.muslimtents.com/islamindublin/ireland.htm
           MOSQUE IN CORK
ADDRESS 69 Riverview Estate, Glasheen, Cork
TELEPHONE 021-342944