CROKER CÉAD MÍLE FÁILTE FOR MUSLIMS
THE terraces of Croke Park may not be generating profits – but they are welcoming prayers for Muslim prophets.
As a result of the pandemic, the hallowed GAA stadium has been lying empty – so yesterday the GAA offered it up to facilitate social distancing on a special religious holiday for Muslims called Eid al-Adha.
The 82,000-seater stadium welcomed around 200 Islamic worshippers who rolled out their prayer mats on its sacred turf, normally reserved for big football and hurling matches.
Surrounded by empty stands in the 82,000-seater stadium, the worshippers wore facemasks as they celebrated the Muslim holy day.
Holding Eid prayers at the ground was a powerful symbol of religious unity during the pandemic, one Islamic leader said yesterday.
Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, from the Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council, delivered part of his speech in Irish and paid tribute to Ireland’s tradition of welcome and inclusivity – ‘céad míle fáilte’.
He said Croke Park is part of Ireland’s DNA, and added that yesterday’s event was the first complete broadcast on State television, RTÉ, of Eid in a nonMuslim majority country.
After a month of fasting for Ramadan, Eid – commemorating Muslim prophet Ibrahim – is normally a time for Muslims to meet, pray and celebrate.
Praising the step taken by the GAA, Dr Al-Qadri said: ‘This pandemic has brought with it some blessings. If not for this pandemic we probably would not have been here.
‘If it was not for this pandemic our communities would not have been united.’