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LAST UPDATE | 31 Jul 2020
AROUND 200 MUSLIMS and dignitaries have gathered in Croke Park in Dublin for the celebration of Eid al-Adha, one of the most important events in the Muslim calendar.
The event, which is taking place in Croke Park for the first time, was originally due to have 500 people in attendance but due to Covid-19 restrictions were limited to 200.
The event began with a recitation from the Quran, followed by a speech from Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration Roderic O’Gorman.
Dr Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, who is the chair of the Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council, led attendees in saying the Eid prayer from 10am.
Eid al-Adha is an annual celebration in the Muslim calendar that takes place at the end of the Hajj pilgrimage and is known as the “Festival of Sacrifice”.
It’s a celebration of the story of Ibrahim, who was asked to sacrifice his son as a show of loyalty to God; before Ibrahim had acted, God provided a lamb to sacrifice instead.
Abraham is a central figure in the Christianity as well as Islam, Dr Al-Qadri told Muslim worshipers.
Dr Al-Qadri welcomed the attendance of the leaders of the Abrahamic religions: Primate of Ireland and Archbishop Diarmud Martin, Archbishop of Dublin and Bishop of Glendalough Michael Jackson, and Rabbi Zalman Lent, who read out statements.
“Today we are showing together a message of peace, a message of unity, a message of humanity, because this is what we need in this day and age,” he said.
“This sacrifice is mentioned in the Bible, it’s mentioned in the Quran as well. It’s something that is common – the slight difference is which son he had to sacrifice.
“What kind of message do we get from this? The message is to trust in god.”
Imran Khurshid, a member of Fianna Fáil, told TheJournal.ie that the event was very well organised; worshipers entered through one door and left through another to adhere to social distancing rules.
“To be honest, it was amazing, this word covers everything. People were very happy. It felt like home, that we are at home and we have nothing to worry about.
Imran Khurshid / Twitter
Imran Khurshid / Twitter / Twitter
“I think we needed it – with the Black Lives Matter movement, this was the right time.
I loved it. I contested the election for Fianna Fáil, I wanted to do it in my constituency. I’m originally from Pakistan – Pakistan and Ireland more or less have the same history. When the British went to Croke Park and opened fire, more or less the same thing happened in India in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre [where 379 people were killed].
Commending the Bishops and Rabbi for their attendance, Khurshid said: “That was the thing, they were addressing us and wishing us well. This is what we need – people don’t know about Muslims, they don’t know about Islam. This is peace, this is love.
He said that these types of events were needed to progress: “You can’t segregate one community or two communities or three communities and build the city or the country up.
This is an opportunity to open the doors – not only for Muslims, but for everyone.
The GAA
Originally from Baghdad, Abdul Al Jumaili, or Bonner Ó Loingsigh, gave a powerful speech to the crowd where he described how he fell in love with the game of hurling, which he called “the best game on earth”.
“No matter where you are in the country, no matter where you’re from, try GAA.”
The Head of Stadium Business at Croke Park Mark Dorman told the worshipers who had gathered that for over Croke Park has been the home of Gaelic games since 1913.
“For over 100 years we’ve hosted sporting and non-sporting events, and religious events. Our motto is ‘Where we all belong’, and we feel that having your celebration here today is living proof that this is a place where you belong too.
We salute and thank the many members of the Muslim community who have played a huge role in keeping us safe in recent months.
Your community has shown selfless dedication in the delivery of healthcare, many of you working on the frontline, and your contribution is greatly appreciated.
“Go raibh maith agaibh. Shukram,” he said, meaning ‘thank you’.
Archbishop Diarmud Martin also addressed the crowd: “I’m very happy to wish the entire Muslim community, and those gathered here in Croke Park, Eid Mubarak.”
The entire Corke Park stadium is a living museum, it’s a place of great sporting occasions, and it’s a place of great community. Every year, elderly people come together for a meal at Christmas. But today marks a new chapter in the history of Croke Park.
He said that this event was “recognising publicly the pace of the Muslim community in Ireland – the Ireland of today, and of tomorrow”.
“I’m honoured that you’ve kindly invited me to be part of your celebration. I feel very much at home at your celebration.
I go away hopeful of what we can achieve together.
Rabbi Zalman Lent mused: “In Ireland they say ‘sport is a religion’ – I’m not sure this is what they meant.”
President Michael D Higgins couldn’t be in attendance, but a statement was read out to those gathered at Croke Park to wish people “every health, happiness, and contentment”.
The service was broadcast on RTÉ News Now between 9.30 and 11.30am.
A small protest gathered outside the stadium to oppose the celebration at Croke Park.
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History may be kind to him, but I can’t stand him due to the austerity years. He was hiding from the public when we wanted answers to the muck they were pushing through the dail at the time.
@Paul Cunningham: bit like the way they are hiding now
@Michael Nolan: there’s nobody hiding now… You might not like what’s being presented but there is no hiding
@JG: watch Ur of that rock
@JG: Ur brain is washed with the current s%ite
@Paul Cunningham: his government invited in the vulture funds. Funnily enough, he got a job with one of em after politics, even tho he has no experience in the industry. An obvious reward for gifting them the chance of a home for thousands of people, which will roll into millions over the years. He’s the ultimate snake. Selling out his countrymen for his own sake.
@JG: You’re right, Donnelly and Watt are just lost, not hiding at all!!
An Accidental leader of the country the man couldn’t put two sentences together,Was coached by the comms people.
At least he worked for a while as a teacher compared to Coveney and McEntee who have never actually worked in the real world.
Also the likes of inda Mehole and Hannfin and Noonan held on to their Teachers positions for over 30 years,Blocking young Teachers from a full time job.
How many of the above are multi millionaires from being in government compared to if they worked as Teachers?
Brought in property tax (despite telling the people years previously that FF would tax the roof over your head
@Kevin Murphy: Instead FG taxed the ground under your feet.
4/10, but wish I knew nothing of the man or any of his ilk. In reality, he and many like him, are like our own royal family.
Has to be one of the worst taoiseachs we ever had
@sandra clifford:
mehole:
Hold my beer
Jesus Christ is this a wind-up??
Great man tough times difficult job
@Splat: nonsense. He was useless
The question concerning the names of Kenny,s imagery friends was missing.
He is getting money for doing nothing welfare resiver
Not one question about his favourite soft drink
He is getting money for doing nothing
@Peter Cooper: and chicks for free
He brought in the property tax despite telling the people that FF would tax the roof over our heads years prior to that when it suited him to say that and tried to get in water charges only to fail because the people of Ireland stood up to him. Yeah, he will be remembered all right, for being a clown
I know he tried to take my mother’s medical card off her when she didn’t have a job and wasn’t long after getting over cancer. I’ll never forgive him or fine gael for that. I hope they suffer in hell
The less, the better.
He is still a muppet
Probably one of our best taoisigh to be fair, saw us through a very difficult time and won sailing race with Bear Grylls. What more do you want?
@Tom Anderson: well it would’ve been cool if he didn’t gift the housing market to vulture funds simply for his own personal gain. He bangs on about “the Irish people” and how great we are, yet he gave away so many critical assets for free. Which has caused irreparable damage and destroyed many many lives. All for a plum job with a vulture fund after politics. He’s no patriot that’s for sure. Greedy, sly and dishonest.
@Rob Gale: I second that .
When you write a comment if it does not suit you won’t print it
A ×#k€r
Paddy wants to know
Didnt take the poll as he was a D.i.c.k that led us before the cabbage , leek and the worm took over …. I rest my case
His most annoying trait is the way he sniffs between each sentence – Mayo voted all FG TD’s when he was in charge – don’t trust Mayo people!
@Thomas Harrington: it’s the same in most counties. This stoopid “one of our own” attitude. Like they literally don’t care that he went on to hand over all our assets and resources to investors in exchange for a job after politics. He’s from Mayo and that’s all that matters.
I got a C, Enda would probably be ok with that result.
Enough
B 7/10 & sheer guess work
Only2 out of 10
Godammit man
Enda Kenny said in 1994 …
“It is morally wrong, unjust and unfair to tax family homes.” (Enda Kenny – 1994)
BUT refused to vote against the LPT tax on Family Homes in the Dail when he became Taoiseach.
Unprincipled … like his class.
https://www.change.org/p/abolish-property-tax-on-family-homes
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