The Clonskeagh Islamic Cultural Centre will not re-open today for Friday prayers after what is believed to be an internal dispute saw the mosque temporarily shut its doors this week.
In a message to Muslims in Ireland, Imam Sheikh Hussein Halawa – the father of Ibrahim Halawa who was jailed in Egypt – said the situation was “distressing”.
The Imam, who has denied ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, described the centre as “a symbol of unity” and urged those curious about what led to the closure to not be “swept away by rumours.”
A statement issued by the Islamic Centre in Clonskeagh said the mosque was closed after a decision by a “newly appointed Board of Directors” and was “a preventive measure to ensure the safety and security of the property, staff, children and members of the public.”
The ICCI says, “On Saturday, 19 April, the ICCI Board had scheduled a closed-door meeting specifically for the parents of children enrolled at the Quranic School to discuss school-related matters. However, attempts were made to disrupt the meeting and transform it into an open community gathering at an incorrect venue.”
It said “there was a coordinated effort to instigate chaos, intimidate and harass parents, and obstruct their entry to the scheduled meeting, which also led to physical assault on staff and the Board. This resulted in a heightened security situation, creating an unsafe environment for our Board Member, staff, parents, the general public, and young people in attendance” it said.
“Following this incident—and in light of credible information received by the Board regarding planned protests,” which it said included “potential attempts to breach the Centre’s gates and forcibly take control of the premises—the Board determined that maintaining security would be impossible if the Centre remained open.”
The ICCI says there is an “ongoing” concern over “safety risks, particularly given reports that further protests may be organized with the intent to incite individuals to breach the gates and forcibly occupy ICCI premises. We trust the Gardaí will continue to ensure the protection of the Centre during this time.”
It said that the newly appointed Board “has also raised serious concerns regarding financial irregularities and governance failures at the ICCI.”
“An internal review was underway, and an internal auditor had been appointed to assist with this process. As part of this effort, the management requested financial records and other relevant documents from the Principal and Deputy Principal of the Quranic School. However, they refused to comply, unlawfully withheld ICCI property, and removed sensitive records without authorization.” it said.
The ICCI denied allegations that “any foreign party has made a request for any data” saying this was “completely false and are categorically denied”
“These statements are defamatory and baseless” it said.
The centre is to remain closed during a “full review of its security posture” while a “a comprehensive audit to address and remedy the legal, financial, and governance issues it has inherited” is undertaken, it said.