UAE Pressure Forces Closure of Ireland’s Largest Islamic Centre

In a move that has shocked the Muslim community in Ireland, the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI) in Dublin has announced the closure of its mosque and affiliated school “until further notice,” following an internal crisis allegedly triggered by Emirati interference.

The decision, posted in a short notice on the centre’s gates, came just days after heated verbal clashes and confrontations inside the mosque—incidents many observers say go beyond administrative disagreements and are part of a broader Emirati effort to assert control over Muslim institutions in Europe for political and intelligence-gathering purposes.

UAE’s Involvement Sparks Tensions

The conflict erupted when the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments in the UAE—a key funder of the centre—demanded detailed personal data on more than 1,000 students and their families from the Islamic school operating within the mosque.

The request was firmly rejected by school officials, who described it as a serious breach of privacy and a violation of Irish data protection laws.

In response, the centre’s administration escalated the dispute by blocking school board members from accessing the building, disabling their email accounts, and cutting off cooperation altogether.

A Friday Incident Sparks Outrage

Tensions peaked on Friday evening, when the mosque hosted Zahid Jamil, a Pakistani lawyer known to work with the UAE government, to speak inside the prayer hall. The invitation was seen as a political provocation, igniting anger among attendees who saw it as an attempt to settle scores within a sacred space meant for worship and education—not power struggles.

Sheikh Halawa Breaks His Silence

In a deeply emotional public statement, Sheikh Hussein Halawa—longtime Imam of the mosque and a central figure in Ireland’s Muslim community—expressed sorrow over the unfolding events:

“It pains me deeply to see our blessed centre, once a beacon of knowledge and da’wah, now forced to close its doors to children, worshippers, and hearts seeking peace.”

Sheikh Halawa, who has served the community for over 30 years, spoke of his personal attachment to the mosque and its school, which has produced Qur’an memorizers, Islamic leaders, and imams serving across Dublin and beyond.

He called for unity and caution, urging the public:

“Do not fall for rumours. Let us fear God in our unity, and avoid division and discord. The Qur’an taught us to speak with one voice and stand in one line.”

Community Reacts with Concern

Meanwhile, Dr. Umar Al-Qadri, Imam of West Dublin Mosque, acknowledged operational challenges at the ICCI but attempted to reassure the community, describing the situation as a “transitional phase” and urging calm.

Ireland’s Muslim community—long known for its independence, integration, and civic engagement—now finds itself in a state of anxiety. Complaints have been filed with the Irish Data Protection Commissioner and the Workplace Relations Commission, amid growing demands for transparency about funding sources and assurances that no personal data has been transferred to foreign actors.

UAE Influence Campaign in Europe

The incident follows a 2023 investigative report by The New Yorker, which exposed efforts by the United Arab Emirates to target Islamic institutions across Europe. These operations are said to involve Alp Services, a controversial Swiss-based intelligence firm allegedly hired by the UAE for covert influence and data collection campaigns.

The closure of the Dublin mosque and school represents a new chapter in this transnational power struggle—raising serious questions about sovereignty, community trust, and the right to independent religious organisation in Europe.

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