More than 300 people celebrated the Muslim holiday of Eid Al Adha in Dublin's Croke Park on Tuesday, the second year in a row the event was staged there.
Muslims gathered to pray in the sunshine on the pitch of the Gaelic Athletic Association stadium, with social-distancing measures in place.
Last year 200 Muslims celebrated the Eid holiday in the stadium, with Covid-19 restrictions preventing a large service in a mosque.
Sheikh Dr Umar Al Qadri, chairman of the Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council and organiser of the event, said the community was “eternally grateful” to be allowed to use the stadium again for the outdoor prayer service.
Holding the gathering in the historic GAA grounds was a “unique and special” moment, he said.
“The Irish people must give themselves full credit for choosing to keep their hearts open when so many around the world fall prey to suspicion, hatred and scapegoating,” he said.
Bilal Awan, who works in cyber security, said he had come to Croke Park for the festival “to pray in this historic and iconic place”.
Holding the prayer service in the stadium was a sign of “acceptance” of people who had come to Ireland from different parts of the world, and “a welcoming” from the GAA, Mr Awan said.
With the Covid-19 restrictions, mosques had been closed for long times, meaning people had to pray at home, he said.
So the large event in Croke Park was a welcome opportunity for the community to come together.
“The festive prayers of Eid, they are to be done in congregations, together, in the mosque, common places, common grounds, where everybody can come in,” Mr Awan said.
“It’s not to be held at home. It’s not an individual event, it’s an accumulative event for everyone.”
Sakinah Abdul Ibiyeye, who works for a FinTech company, said the event symbolised the integration of “new Irish” immigrants.
“Especially with the lockdowns, this is an opportunity to see people you haven’t seen in a very long time and be able to greet everyone again,” Ms Abdul Ibiyeye said.
“This is like Muslim Christmas for us, to have families around and eat, so it’s great to have it here. It’s great to see a lot of people here.”
GAA President Larry McCarthy told those gathered it was a “great pleasure” to welcome the Muslim community to Croke Park.
The event was attended by leaders from other religions, including the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell, Rev Michael Jackson of the Church of Ireland, and Rabbi Zalman Lent of the Jewish community.
Jack Chambers, the Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and other politicians also attended.
Irish President Michael D Higgins said he wanted to thank the Muslim community on the “joyful” occasion “for all they contribute to the society we share".
Women & Power: A Manifesto
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Bio
Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”
Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”
Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”
Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
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MATCH INFO
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• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
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SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday Spezia v Lazio (6pm), Juventus v Torino (9pm), Inter Milan v Bologna (7.45pm)
Sunday Verona v Cagliari (3.30pm), Parma v Benevento, AS Roma v Sassuolo, Udinese v Atalanta (all 6pm), Crotone v Napoli (9pm), Sampdoria v AC Milan (11.45pm)
Monday Fiorentina v Genoa (11.45pm)
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
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October 13-14 KartZone (complimentary trials)
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March 8-9 UAE Rotax Max Challenge
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4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
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- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law