Enter the ICCI

Praise be to Allah with Whom blessings all good deeds are performed. Peace and blessings be upon Allah's Prophet, his kin, companions and whoever follows his path and rushes for good deeds.

The Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland was established in 1996 evolving, by Allah's Will, into a distinguished landmark and an elite Islamic edifice not only in Ireland but in Europe as a whole. The Muslim community in Ireland was endowed by Allah's grace Who guided His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's decision to sponsor the construction and operation of the ICCI. Today, seven years after the ICCI's inauguration, we hereby present a brief illustration of major activities that are part of its numerous and diverse endeavours which have been carried out during the last period. However, we maintain that all such activities have not yet attained our and the sponsoring Foundation's (Al-Maktoum Foundation) aspirations; but we hope, Allah's will, that the next stage will witness expanded activities. We also thank whoever participated in establishing, sponsoring or developing the ICCI and assisted in the success of its activities. May Allah grant them all the best reward. Peace be with you.

The Community

The Muslim community of Ireland is a multi-cultural community comprising of Muslims from various countries such as Pakistan, Malaysia, Somalia, South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Libya, Bosnia and Ireland itself. There are mosques in various parts of the country e.g. Limerick, Galway, Ballyhaunis, Cavan and Letterkenny as well as in Dublin plus additional Muslim communities elsewhere e.g. Cork and Waterford.

Muslims began arriving in Ireland in the early 1950s, mainly as students; some of them later settled in Ireland and married Irish nationals. The first Muslim organisation in Ireland, the Dublin Islamic Society, was formed in 1959 by a group of Muslim students. Premises at 7 Harrington Street were bought to be used as a mosque. In 1983 larger premises for a mosque at 163 South Circular Road, were acquired.

In 1992 Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum (deputy ruler of Dubai) agreed to fund new facilities for the Dublin Muslim community. A 4-acre site was purchased including a training-centre; which had previously been a school. In 1993 this became the location of the Muslim National School. Construction of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI) then began. On November 16th 1996 the ICCI was officially opened by President Mary Robinson and Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. Sheikh Hamdan covers the running costs of the ICCI. The ICCI was designed by the Irish architect firm, Michael Collins & Associates who in 1997 won an award for their design from the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland.

Architectural Design

The Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland consists of five interconnected sections (connected together by a square system of corridors). The mosque is the raised centre-piece to emphasise that it is the heart of the Muslim community. Distinctive black marble square archways mark the three main entrances to the mosque, two of which one approaches by ascending steps. The orientation of the Centre is towards the Ka'aba in Makkah in Saudi Arabia.

On entering the grounds of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland one first encounters a landscaped evergreen welcome. The dome and minaret then come into view. In Muslim countries the call to prayer is broadcasted from the minaret (tower) five times a day; at the ICCI though this structure is merely ornamental. The dome has no religious significance. The apexes of both the dome and minaret are denoted by copper crescents representing the Islamic lunar calendar.

Inside the mosque the decoration is simple yet elegant. On entering the mosque one is first struck by the Waterford crystal chandelier suspended from the central dome (see photo). There is a rich green carpet with a simple orange and cream design. A common arabesque design decorates the wooden panelling on the walls, wooden doors, marble bases of the pillars and metal screens over the windows.

An arched niche called the mihrab is the focal point, it is located mid-way on the wall facing the entrance The (religious leader), with the congregation in unison praying in rows behind him. The mihrab faces the qibla (towards the Ka'aba, which is a focal point for the prayer not an object of worship). From the mihrab the call to prayer is recited before each of the five daily prayers.

Above the mihrab inscribed in Arabic calligraphy there is the Islamic testimony of faith, 'There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger' (Allah is the Arabic name, for the Creator Lord and Sustainer of all the universes and all that lies within them). A noticeable feature of mosques is the absence of religious icons as these are believed to be idols and idol worship is forbidden in Islam. The minbar (pulpit) is to the right of the mihrab. From here the imam delivers a sermon as part of the Friday jumah prayer which is the main congregational prayer of the week (see photo above). Muslims are also encouraged to perform the five daily prayers in congregation in the mosque, these though do not involve a sermon. On the minbar this is a set of prayer time clocks for the congregational prayers.

Located at the rear of the prayer hall is a balcony with a glass front that is decorated with the common arabesque design found through out the mosque. Muslim women pray here. Muslim men and women pray at the same time but in separate locations due to modesty.

Finally there is the wudu (ablution ) area, there are separate areas for men and women. Muslims are required to make ablution before the prayer.