Muslims condemn allegations of Islamic cleric

Muslim representatives in Ireland have condemned comments from an Islamic cleric who said that radicalism was rife among young Muslims living here.

Some 15 representatives of Muslim organisations around the country met yesterday at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI) in Clonskeagh, Dublin, to discuss statements to the Sunday Tribune by Dr Shaheen Satardien, a representative of an organisation called the Supreme Islamic Council.

Dr Satardien had said that Ireland was a "haven for fundamentalism" and that young Muslims here were being drawn into support for terrorism.

A joint statement, issued following yesterday's meeting, said that the allegations did not represent the views of the Muslim community and were not a true representation of Muslim youth in Ireland.

"This publicity stunt was an avenue open to him to gain recognition and as a result has offended the Irish Muslim youth and the Irish community at large," the statement said.

The group, representing organisations such as the ICCI, the Muslim Association of Ireland, the Federation of Students Islamic Societies and the Muslim Scouts of Ireland, questioned Dr Satardien's background and that of the organisation he represents.

They called on the media to investigate "ludicrous allegations" before giving them publicity and said if evidence exists then it should be brought to the attention of the Garda Síochána.

"We vehemently condemn all the claims made in the articles by Shaheen Satardien and accordingly conclude that this is evidently his own opinion and without evidence cannot prove otherwise," the statement added.

After the press conference, Summayah Kenna of the Islamic cultural centre said that young people had contacted the centre and were feeling disillusioned and very offended by Dr Satardien's comments.

"They feel they are being tarnished with the same brush and it is totally unfair," she said.

"The organisation [Supreme Islamic Council] was established just recently by individuals with no grass roots support within the Irish Muslim community.

"We don't know what kind of organisation it is."

Nuara Bazama of Federation of Students Islamic Societies said that they found newspaper coverage of Dr Satardien's comments very offensive.

"Ireland has been very good to the Muslim youth and we've been very good in turn to Ireland and to pinpoint us out without any evidence was unprofessional for the newspaper," she said.

"We represent 3,000 people in Ireland and the organisations here represent hundreds and hundreds of views. Out of all of them, I can guarantee there is not even one fundamentalist, so where his evidence is coming from I don't know."