Mosque will add to cultural and religious life of Tralee

SIR, I find it most regrettable that you printed the letter from Anne Keeling (Letters, June 7) which appeared to link terrorism and the building of a mosque in Tralee.

There have been racist incidents against Muslims in the wake of the recent Manchester and London attacks, including the targeting of the mosque in Galway city. As is continually pointed out, the extremists who commit awful acts of terrorism are not representative of Islam and its message of peace.

Moreover, the call to re-think the granting of planning permission for the Tralee mosque seems to ignore Irish history. Under the Penal Laws, Roman Catholicism and Protestant dissenters were suppressed and their places of worship restricted.

In my view, to visit one of the most oppressive aspects of our history on a minority group is surely unconscionable.

The new mosque has been rightly welcomed as a religious and cultural space which will add to Tralee life.

It is only by engaging with minorities, such as the Muslim community, that we can ensure the nurturing of a healthy and strong diverse local community.

May I suggest Ms Keeling visits the mosque on its completion, and no doubt she will be greeted by friendly and decent people of faith.

Sincerely,

Dr Richard Scriven, Ballinlough, Cork