“15th March: UN International Day to combat Islamophobia” By Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri

As the world becomes more interconnected and diverse, it’s important to
recognise and combat forms of discrimination that continue to harm
marginalised communities. One such form of discrimination is Islamophobia,
which refers to prejudice and hostility towards Muslims.

On March 15th, the world observes the UN International Day to combat
Islamophobia, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about the impact of antiMuslim discrimination worldwide. In Ireland, Islamophobia is a growing
concern, as highlighted by Dr James Carr, a researcher at the University of
Limerick, who has conducted extensive research on the rise of Islamophobia in
Ireland.

According to Dr Carr, Islamophobia in Ireland is a relatively recent
phenomenon, with anti-Muslim sentiment largely absent before the turn of the
century. However, in the past decade, there has been a significant increase in
incidents of discrimination and hate speech targeting Muslim individuals and
communities.

The ongoing housing crisis in Ireland has created a sense of anger and
frustration among many people who struggle to find affordable accommodation.
Unfortunately, this anger is sometimes exploited by far-right groups who
scapegoat minorities, especially refugees and migrants, as the cause of the
crisis. This dangerous rhetoric also fuels prejudice and discrimination such as
Islamophobia, and also diverts attention from the real causes of the housing
crisis and undermines efforts to find constructive solutions.

While the problem of Islamophobia is concerning, there have also been positive
developments in recent years, such as the Eid celebration held in Croke Park in
the past three years. The event sends a powerful message of inclusion and
acceptance to Muslims throughout the country.

Initiatives like the Croke Park Eid celebration are crucial in promoting
understanding and challenging negative stereotypes about Muslims in Ireland.
By creating opportunities for people to come together and celebrate their
differences, we can help build a more inclusive and accepting society.

Education and awareness-raising initiatives are critical in promoting
understanding and challenging negative attitudes towards Muslims. This
includes efforts to educate the public about the diversity of Muslim
communities and the contributions they make to Irish society. Many Muslim
individuals and organisations in Ireland are working to promote dialogue and
understanding, and initiatives such as open mosque days and interfaith events
can help foster positive relationships between communities.

Politicians also have a responsibility to promote inclusion and diversity and
create policies that support and empower marginalised communities. In 2018,
the Irish government launched the “Migrant Integration Strategy” which aims to
combat discrimination and promote integration of all migrant communities,
including Muslim communities. The strategy includes a range of measures to
address Islamophobia, such as providing anti-racism training to public sector
workers, promoting cultural awareness and diversity, and supporting interfaith
dialogue initiatives.
In conclusion, the International Day against Islamophobia is an important
opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of anti-Muslim discrimination
worldwide. While Ireland is not immune to the problem, initiatives like the
Croke Park Eid celebration demonstrate that there is also cause for optimism.
By working together to promote understanding and combat negative attitudes
towards Muslims, we can create a more inclusive and accepting society for all.