by Miceál O’Hurley
DUBLIN — Shaykh Dr. Umar al-Qadri, Chair of the Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council and Head Imam at the Islamic Centre of Ireland was treated in hospital overnight for injuries sustained in a violent attack in Tallaght, South Dublin yesterday. According to a post by Shaykh Umar on the social media platform “X”, formerly known as Twitter, he wrote he believed it to have been a “planned attack” indicating that it happened after joining, “…two Irish individuals who had arranged a meeting in Tallaght”. Shaykh Umar is reported to have been treated in hospital overnight for observation and treatment for his several injuries resulting from the attack. “Thankfully, there is no brain injury or broken jaw, but the left side of my face is severely swollen and my front teeth are damaged,” he wrote.
According to Shaykh Umar’s account of the attack, “The next thing I remember is feeling disoriented in my car, surrounded by helpful Irish neighbours of the area I was visiting as the Gardaí and ambulance arrived,” he said. “I was injured,” he continued, “and had lost consciousness, but my mobile phone was still with me, allowing me to contact my friends who arrived within 15 minutes. They took me to the hospital where I stayed overnight.” That Shaykh Umar’s phone, wallet and person items were left at the scene of the crime is indicative of a planned attack and not a robbery, as he noted.
Shaykh Umar was born in Pakistan, raised largely in the Netherlands and has called Ireland his home for over 20-years. A popular figure, known for his integration into Irish society and culture, Shaykh Umar even took to the field at Croke Park to learn about our native, Gaelic sport from Bonnar Ó’Loingsigh how to execute a “roll loft” and “jab lift” with a hurley all while dressed in the garb of an Islamic cleric. Shaykh Umar thanked the Irish people who immediately came to his assistance, “I would like to express my gratitude to the kind Irish lady and two Irish gentlemen who assisted me when I collapsed and safely helped me into my car.”.
“This incident doesn’t change the fact that I deeply appreciate and cherish Ireland and its people,” said Shaykh Umar, adding as gaeilge, “Is breá liom Éire (I love Ireland).” The Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council and Head Imam at the Islamic Centre of Ireland have gone to great lengths to integrate Muslims into Irish life and dispel common misperceptions about Islam, making the attack all the more repugnant. The Muslim cleric wrote this is the first time he had been attacked in his 21-years living in Ireland.
Ireland has increasingly been subjected to violence and protests by far-right actors and movements in recent years. Anti-Immigrant protestors subjected Dublin to rioting which saw local Dublin business destroyed, burned, people attacked on the street, and even a Luas train set alight. Damage was also reported to have been done to An Garda and firefighting vehicles.
There have been 23 separate arson attacks on hotels, buildings and homes linked by right-wing extremists as being designated to house immigrants, asylum seekers or Ukrainians granted legal residency in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Regulation. Agitators from the far-right claim Ireland has prioritised the housing of “foreigners” over Irish people.
The arsonists and agitators have at times acted on false information. On New Year’s eve, right-wing arsonists set alight the Old Shipwright Pub on Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, Dublin. Various extremists had spread rumours on social media and within their network of like-minded groups the building had been designated to house immigrants. The building had in-fact been set aside to house Irish homeless people – the very people the right-wing arsonists claimed they were trying to help. 3-people have since been detained for the fire.
An Tanaiste Micheál Martin spoke to the ongoing spate of arson attacks last month, “We haven’t had this before in Ireland. And clearly, an organised campaign seems to be afoot to burn buildings, destroying property, with the potential impact on human life.” Speaking last week concerning the veil of silence by the right-wing agitators who support and encourage such attacks on property and people Justice Minister Helen McEntee, T.D., stated, “are as guilty as the person who actually lights the match” unless they come forward to cooperate with An Garda Síochána.
Despite several members of Dáil Éireann appearing at rallies that could be fairly described as “right wing” and “extremist” and making statements in support of the anti-immigrant movement, given the extremists’ widespread use of social media, the rise of threat caused by these individuals and loosely affiliated groups have seemingly caught the Government off-guard. Fearing the backlash of being seen to monitor those engaged in what they believe to be “political activities” and exercising “free speech” An Garda Síochána and Ireland’s intelligence services have collected scant information that might otherwise help them deter the commission of these crimes and rise of extremism in Ireland.
An Garda Síochána is reported to be conducting thorough and vigorous investigations into crimes against “immigrants” and “foreigners” from arson to the type of assault to which Shaykh Umar was subjected.
