Muslim cleric calls for dialogue on Islamic centre

A leading Muslim cleric has called for dialogue amid concerns that a planning row over an Islamic centre in Cork could fuel anti-Muslim sentiment.

And the owner and developer of the new Cork Islamic Centre on Shandon St has asked the Fianna Fáil leader to intervene, after expressing fears that one of his party’s councillors is “provoking” the situation.

Sheikh Abdur Raheem McCarthy and Dr Farghal Radwan issued an open invitation last night to Cllr Ken O’Flynn, and to the general public, to visit their centre.

“We are part of his constituency. If he has an issue, come and knock on our doors. Our doors are open. Come and talk to us,” Dr Radwan said.

Mr O’Flynn, who has led criticism of the centre for breaching two planning conditions, has denied he is anti-Muslim.

The city’s planning department has issued a warning letter to Dr Radwan expressing concerns that the building is being used outside specific opening hours, and is operating as a place of public worship. He has been given four weeks to respond.

Last night, Dr Radwan accepted people have used the building outside the set hours, but rejected claims it is being used as a place of public worship.

“We are simple people trying to find a place to practice our religion, to meet other people. Nothing else,” he said.

“This is a place to educate about Islam. How can I do that without the conditions to pray.

“We are trying to integrate into the society. As part of our integration, we feel we need to practise our religion.

“In UCC, there is a prayer room. In all the major hospitals in Cork where there are Muslims working, there is a prayer room. Can the planning department close UCC because they have a prayer room?

“Under the Irish Constitution, we have a right to practise our religion.”

He said he has concerns about how the controversy is playing out in public.

“I have written to Micheál Martin. He’s a high political figure and I told him to try and intervene,” he said.

“We don’t want something to escalate for the sake of the community and society. Things have escalated for no reason. We haven’t even officially opened the place.”

Sheikh McCarthy, who is helping to establish the centre, said people have nothing to fear from the facility which he hopes will play a key role in helping Muslims integrate into Irish society.

He also revealed plans for public opening hours, a permanent exhibition on Islam, and for counselling services to be provided from the premises.

There were about 30 people at the centre yesterday afternoon, including some 10 children.

Some of the men chatted and enjoyed Arabic tea and coffee as the children were led through lessons in Arabic and readings from the Quran. They all stopped at 5.30pm for one of five daily prayer sessions Muslims must perform.

Only three men, including Dr Radwan, had arrived at the centre by car.

The city council’s planning department is awaiting a response from Dr Radwan or his representatives.

The head of the city council’s planning department, Pat Ledwidge, said his officials are willing to engage with Dr Radwan on the issues involved. “Fifty percent of such cases are resolved through negotiation. That’s our preferred option. If we have to go to court, we would view that as a failure,” he said.