Many believe the Irish Council of Imams was set up at the behest of the Irish government who wanted a ‘Catholic-like’ hierarchy that they could deal with. There was no consultation with the community, no discussions to determine who might best represent the us. The criteria was that they simply be an imam of a mosque recognized by the others, essentially it was an opportunity for the Ikhwaan to ‘keep it in the family’ and imams who didn’t tow the line were duly rejected.

Among this obscure group is an imam who believes the Prophet Muhammad visits his mosque every Juma’ah, and a Rawa’fid Shia who despises the companions of the Prophet. They have a predilection for surfacing to rightfully condemn the activities of France, but remain wholly silent when the same issues arise here – please note their absence in the hijab debate.

The Irish Council of Imams is an unacceptable imposition on the Irish ummah that should be rejected by all conscientious Muslims, they may well represent themselves but they have no right to extend that claim beyond the confines of their Clonskeagh castle. If they want to be representative, then let them put their nominations to the vote!