Archbishops denounce attacks on Muslims here

Dublin's two Archbishops, Cardinal Desmond Connell and Most Rev Walton Empey, have issued a joint statement condemning attacks on Muslims in Ireland since September 11th.

"We wish to express our dismay upon hearing reports of the gratuitous insults visited upon the Muslim community in Ireland in the past week. In this circumstance we would like to acknowledge with gratitude the positive presence of the Muslim communities in Ireland. We know that many members of our own Christian communities enjoy very good relations with their Muslim neighbours," they said.

"Muslims and Christians throughout the world have been praying for peace, in the wake of the terrible events in America. Prayer gives courage and support to all who love the good and desire to promote it. Let us continue to pray for the true, lasting peace that God alone can give," they said.

The Three Faiths Forum group, which represents Irish Christians, Muslims, and Jews, has called for prayers that "a culture of mutual understanding and peace may prevail in our society".

It renewed its commitment "to working together for tolerance, goodwill and respect for the sanctity of life" and expressed "total abhorrence" of the attack on the US.

It described it as "this crime against humanity in the USA" and sent "profoundest sympathy to all who have been touched directly and indirectly by this evil act". On Wednesday, the Muslim school in Clonskeagh, Co Dublin was closed following a bomb scare, while a passing gang beat up a Muslim man at the Islamic Centre on the city's South Circular Road that night.

At the centre yesterday, Ms Rabia Golden spoke of frequent verbal assaults on Muslims in Ireland over this past 10 days, "the nastiest of the nasty" phone calls being received at the centre. She said a lot of Muslim families were keeping their women and children at home to avoid them being abused. In a call yesterday, one woman said that every time she saw "an Arab" she felt like screaming.