Councillor opens exhibition 'Islam - A religion of peace'
Issued : Tuesday 8 June, 2010

ADDRESS AT EXHIBITION OPENING
‘ISLAM – A RELIGION OF PEACE
PEARSE STREET LIBRARY, DUBLIN 2, 8TH JUNE 2010

"Thank you very much for inviting me here today.

Many years ago when I was a student at university, I spent two months in London living with a Muslim family. Their hospitality knew no bounds, and among the many things they taught me were their greetings. So it with great pleasure that after so many years I again have the opportunity to say ‘wa ah salaam ah lakum’.

I congratulate you on the event being organised today which plays an important part in educating our society about itself and its members. A journey of understanding is essential for the development of a tolerant, peaceful, safe and nurturing society. It is particularly important when the demographic of our country is changing. The last census reports 32,500 Muslims in Ireland. In the particular part of Dublin that I represent, just across the river, over 7% of people describe themselves as black or Asian, Black/Irish or Asian/Irish. The national average is only 2%…and yet what we know about Islam, as a religion of so many nations, is so very limited, with little emphasis placed on the positives. Indeed the vast diversity of Islam, and of mainstream, moderate Muslims, has been overshadowed and obscured by a deadly minority of political or ideological extremists. This event is important in counteracting that.

As a member of the Labour party and as a human being, I aspire to a fairer and more tolerant society. Islam has already addressed this in many ways. From my limited reading, I understand that, according to the Quran, diversity in belief, cultures and traditions is part of God’s intended creation and a sign of his wisdom. For example, at Chapter 30.22 the Quran says

“Among His signs is the creation of the Heavens and the Earth, and the diversity of your languages and colours. Surely there are signs for those who reflect.”

Similarly, in striving for a fairer society, Islam emphasizes social responsibility through alms giving of 2.5% of all liquid assets to the poor, sick and suffering.

Ahmadi Islam is a denomination of Islam that firmly believes and acts upon the Qu’ranic teaching that “There is no compulsion in religion” (Chapter 2.257), and strongly rejects violence and terrorism in any form and for any reason.

It is particularly tragic, then, to learn of the recent massacre in Pakistan of the Ahmadi muslims at prayer, and I note the comments of the head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat (Hadhrat Khalifa-Tut Mash Vatba) when he said

“No form of terrorism has any place in Islam, a peace loving organisation…may Allah protect all good natured people from the evil acts of those opposed to peace.”

So, as an admirable initiative in promoting peace and understanding, may I congratulated you on this event.

Thank you."

Claire O’ Regan
8th June 2010

(Readers may be interested to note this article that came to my attention after the address :
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/jun/07/ahmadi-massacre-silence-pakistan)