DUBLIN, IRELAND – A prominent Irish Muslim cleric, Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, has reported being the victim of a brutal assault, which he describes as a deliberate hate crime. According to Dr. Al-Qadri, the incident occurred when he was lured to meet two individuals in the Tallaght area of South Co Dublin on Thursday night. The chairperson of the Irish Muslim Council took to social media to recount the ordeal, stating that he was set upon in what he believes was a planned attack.
Dr. Al-Qadri shared on social media that he was grateful for the assistance of a kind Irish lady and two Irish gentlemen who came to his aid after the attack. He also expressed appreciation for the support of his community members. The well-known cleric, who operates a mosque out of West Dublin, revealed that he was hospitalized and underwent a CT scan. Fortunately, the scan showed no brain injury or broken jaw, but he suffered severe swelling on the left side of his face and damage to his front teeth.
The assault is currently under investigation by the Gardai, who confirmed that it is being treated as an alleged assault and robbery. In a text message, Dr. Al-Qadri clarified that nothing of value was taken from him, except possibly his wallet, which he believes may have fallen during the attack. He also mentioned that he was surprised that the individuals he met turned out to be Irish, as he had been expecting to meet migrants.
The attack on Dr. Al-Qadri has garnered widespread condemnation, with survivor of the Holocaust, Tomi Reichental, expressing deep concern and denouncing the hate crime. In an official statement, Reichental emphasized the need for Ireland to remain an open, democratic, and pluralist society, free from ethnic, racist, or sectarian intimidation and violence.
A friend of Dr. Al-Qadri, Assad Ali, who spoke to the media, recalled the circumstances of the attack, revealing that the cleric had arranged to meet two individuals about a wedding, but upon arrival, was assaulted. Ali praised the quick response of the locals, who came to Dr. Al-Qadri’s aid, potentially preventing a worse outcome.
The motive behind the attack on Dr. Al-Qadri remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing. The incident has sparked concerns about the safety and security of minority communities in Ireland, as well as broader discussions surrounding hate crimes and intolerance.