Muslim women seek apology for prayer ban

Two Muslim women told to stop praying in a public park are to ask for a formal apology and a donation to charity from Dublin City Council (DCC) and the security company involved.

Following an article in yesterday’s Irish Examiner, the security company Manguard Plus suspended the worker who had shouted at the women to stop praying in Griffith Park, Drumcondra, on Aug 10.

One of the women, Sajida, said the Manguard employee told them they needed a permit to pray in the park and they might hurt their backs and sue DCC.

Last night, the women’s solicitor, Derek Stewart of Dublin-based Derek Stewart and Co Solicitors, said the women had not engaged him for the sake of personal financial gain. The threat of suing either Manguard or DCC could be averted if an agreement was reached on a charitable donation and an apology, he said.

“One area that appeals to them is that a donation be made to an Islamic Relief Fund, particularly having regard to what is going on in Syria and Egypt at the moment,” said Mr Stewart.

“What they are looking for is a goodwill gesture, coupled with an acceptable apology.”

Both women felt the actions of the security man were “totally offensive and insulting”, Mr Stewart said.

He said the idea that they could not pray in the park was “without legal substance”. A DCC spokesman said people were allowed to engage in private prayer in a public place.

Mr Stewart, who specialises in immigration law and is a director of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, said the women had asked him to contact Manguard and DCC because they felt that if they did nothing, other Muslims could be subject to similar treatment. DCC contracts Manguard to provide an out-of-hours park warden service.

Yesterday, Bill Brown, managing director of Manguard, said his employee would remain suspended for a couple of days until he had completed an investigation into the incident. DCC has also requested a report.

Mr Brown said the first he heard of what happened was when the story appeared on It Says In The Papers on RTÉ radio yesterday. He then spoke with the worker and relevant manager.

“The worker didn’t try and defend his action,” said Mr Brown. “He admitted the approach he made was contrary to his training. On that basis alone, I had to suspend him. There was no rhyme or reason to this incident.”

Mr Brown said Manguard had worked for DCC for six years and never had any complaints. His employees underwent diversity training as part of their training programme, but Mr Brown said maybe it was “an element that hasn’t been understood” and they may need to re-examine it. He apologised unreservedly and said he would like to meet with the two women.