Outrage following attack on Mosque

Politicians and Christian leaders in Galway have expressed outrage at the attack on a mosque in the city on Monday.

Windows at the Ballybane place of worship for Galway’s Ahmadiyya Muslim community were smashed while people were at prayer.

The greater Galway community immediately rallied around in a show of solidarity.

A joint statement from Galway’s Christian leaders ‘unequivocally and without hesitation condemned the malicious, unprovoked attack on Masjid Maryam Mosque’.

In the joint-statement, the leaders of Galway’s Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian churches as well as the Church of Ireland and The Religious Society of Friends in Ireland, said: “Coming during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and during Mosque prayers makes such loutish, criminal behaviour particularly outrageous.

“Our city has always enjoyed excellent inter-faith relations. This attack serves to further our resolve, and the resolve of our faith communities, to work and pray to ensure that these relationships are further deepened.

“At this difficult time, we together offer our full and wholehearted support to Imam Ibrahim Ahmad Noonan, to the Ahmadiyyan Muslim Association of Ireland and to our Muslims brothers and sisters here in Galway and throughout Ireland.

“In an increasingly secular world, we look forward to further strengthening our bonds of cooperation, friendship, respect, prayer and peace.”

Galway West Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó Cuív also expressed his shock at the attack. “I know the community very well and they are a peace-loving community whose motto is love for all, and hate for none, and have been open with the Galway community, inviting them to their many events every year,” he said.

It is noteworthy that the Ahmadiyyan Muslim community organise a peace conference every year through which they invite people from different leagues to attend.

“I have had the great honour of speaking at this event on numerous occasions and can testify to the Ahmadiyyan Muslims total commitment to peace.”

A solidarity rally organised by the Galway Anti-Racism Network (GARN) late on Monday night at the Ahmadiyya Mosque saw almost 100 people turn out. In a show of solidarity, they shared tea and biscuits with the Ahmadiyya community and sent a strong message of support.