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Sunday 06 Dec 2015 - 12:53 Makkah mean time-24-2-1437
Image from Irish Independent
Galway, Ireland (IINA) - In a peaceful message for Irish people, Imam Ibrahim Noonan of Galway Mosque in Ireland said: “ISIl does not represent Muslims and we renounce its terrorism.”
“My heart once again go for the innocent people who have been killed by those who claim to be Muslims and claim to belong to the faith of Islam," Irish Independent reported.
“Yet I cannot help remembering the many moments not so long ago when, as a young Irishman, I had to bear the brunt of blames and hurtful remarks by the many British people who saw the onslaught of Irish terrorism, as it was known then. During those times, every Irish person was looked upon as an Irish Republican terrorist.”
I remember on St Patrick's Day in southeast London being asked to remove the Tricolour badge on my lapel, as it was considered offensive by some. I and my Irish friends would hide our accents for fear of being attacked or abused - and each time a bomb went off there was a huge sense of shame. None of us supported the bombings and the killings of innocent men women and children.
But today I see the same pain and anguish in all the Muslims living in Ireland and Europe and even in many Arabs lands, all of whom denounce those who commit acts of barbarism in the name of Islam.
Yet Islam does not allow such actions by its followers. The Qur’an clearly says: "To take an innocent life for no just cause is like killing the whole of humanity and whoever saves a live it is like saving the whole of humanity."
It teaches that its faithful "must abstain from evil and must do good" and to reach the highest standards of righteousness, its Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said: "If you see an evil act, you must stop it! With your hands." Can fire coexist with water? Indeed not. Therefore, can a Muslim be a terrorist? Certainly not!
The recent and shameful attack in San Bernardino, US is a clear warning of the extremist ideology being spread and influencing young Muslims and shows the need for all Muslim communities to stand together and fight such backward ideologies.
The Imams in Ireland and Europe must not be afraid to stand up and clearly say no! Their voices need to be heard.
Sadly, our community is seeing the signs of anger being directed at Muslims. A week after the Paris attack, we had eggs thrown at our mosque. Our worry is that this time it was eggs, but what will be thrown next time?
Also, members of our community are showing signs of being afraid to attend the mosque, as many walk.
I have noticed after the incident in San Bernardino everyone staring at me, in a way I have not seen since 9/11 and 7/7.
But this won't stop me from saying no to evil ideologies like ISIL.
They do not represent the Muslim community, so please be patient with all the Muslim communities living in Ireland and indeed Europe.
SM/IINA
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