Dublin’s north inner city is home to Ireland’s largest African mosque. CATHERINE REILLY spoke to religious leaders and worshippers at the Islamic Progressive Centre of Ireland, who follow a brand of Islam at odds with lurid global headlines
Sheriff Street is one of Dublin’s best-known place names, for all sorts of reasons, but becoming home to the city’s biggest African mosque is an unexpected chapter in its story.
But take a walk through Upper Sheriff Street on a Sunday afternoon and poke your head into the dreary Castleforbes Industrial Estate – and you’ll hear it before you see it.
Inside unit 106, an African flock has gathered at the Islamic Progressive Centre of Ireland, the women in colourful dresses and tribal headwear from their Nigerian Yoruba tradition, and the men in long white robes.
Everyone shares the same floor – men at the front and women at the back – surrounded by an array of heaters, while upstairs there are two rooms filled with small children receiving schooling in Islamic studies, some gleefully munching through snacks. “Asalam Alaikum” (peace be upon you), they say when visitors pass through.
On Sundays, a full house sees around 300 followers of Islam, mostly Nigerians, congregate in this small and dank two-story unit, while up to 50 people attend Friday prayers.
Former psychology student Shehu Adetola Adeniji is the main imam here. The pleasant Nigerian can definitely be tagged ‘moderate’. He doesn’t believe in trying to impose Islam’s Sharia law on non-Muslims, he says homosexuals “have their own rights”, and won’t forgo shaking a woman’s hand – depending on the circumstances.
“See!” exclaims Imam Adeniji, as assistant Imam Adewunmi Adeniran proffers his hand to this reporter. As Imam Adeniji explains, there is no history between me and the assistant imam, so there’s no good reason that a handshake will lead to anything other than that.
Imam Adeniji is not a full-time religious leader, having worked in various jobs since coming to Ireland in 2001 and currently studying for a law degree at Dublin’s Portobello College. Raised a Muslim in his native Nigeria, he says he was “called by God – Allah” to take up a leadership role.
“My father was a Sheikh and I went to some Arabic schools in Nigeria before I came down to Ireland,” he says. “I thank God I’ve been able to help so many souls positively and spiritually, in all areas of human endeavour.”
Aside from strictly religious duties, he finds his job all-encompassing. He says he has “the function of counselling in so many areas”, including marital disputes, and provides character references for members in relation to immigration and accommodation needs.
He’s also clear on the type of Islam that’s preached at the mosque.
“We are not here to support anything negative or any evil-doing, ” says the imam. “Look at those people fighting Islamic jihad – the jihads of today are very, very wrong...
“Islam is very, very modern. It’s these people who are behaving in a wrong way. They don’t portray Islam very well. In the Holy Qur’an, it is said to call people to Islam with wisdom, knowledge and good character.”
Imam Adeniji also appears to have no larger agenda beyond strengthening the faith of those born into, or attracted to, Islam.
“I can’t say I believe in propagating Sharia in Ireland,” he says. “Sharia is just for the believers.”
And he elaborates on why Islam’s followers in Ireland tend to section themselves off according to nationality. “What we like to do, the Arabs don’t like it,” says the imam. “We like to dance, to enjoy ourselves, play our music... but with dancing and whatever, the Arabs have their own type. Many of them are trying to be fanatical and leave the area of enjoyment.”
According to Adeyinka Nurudeen Omotoso, the centre’s PRO, this is the largest African mosque in Ireland.
“The main objective is to propagate Islam, to make sure that others who are born to be Muslim are practicing the religion the way it’s supposed to be – prayers five times a day, giving alms to the poor, zakat (that is, to give to people in need) and go to Mecca, if finances permit it. Also during Ramadan, we fast for 30 days.”
He is also indignant at Islam’s portrayal, and hijacking, in certain quarters. “Are we supposed to be making bombs and going to Afghanistan? No. The Islam that we know is not teaching terrorism, what Islam means is peace.”
The centre has applied for charitable status, he adds, and wants to get involved in wider initiatives to improve the lives of vulnerable people in Ireland.
“We want to make ourselves known to all Irish charitable society, and go to different places – to homeless people, to give them what they’re looking for. To the handicapped, and give them what they’re looking for. Old people as well.”
Mother-of-five Bashirat Olaogun is chairwoman of the centre, and says it’s an important religious and social facility for all members.
“We come here to observe prayers and we seek for almighty Allah’s guidance,” she explains. “Whatever the request, He always accepts our prayers. We want our children to observe our religion when they’re very young, so they’re used to the way we pray.”
Business people, nurses, lawyers, doctors are among the centre’s varied membership. Jelilat Akinsolna Sanusi, an accountant who serves as the centre’s secretary, reiterates that the centre is very keen on giving back to Irish society, and says that aside from its religious importance, it also promotes “fun”, pointing out that members born in a particular month are celebrated together, with balloons and birthday cakes.
She adds that, now and again, some non-Muslims call around, and the centre is very welcoming of visitors.
“Some people have Irish friends so when doing a special programme, they come in and sit within our midst,” she says, adding: “We normally use our dialect [Yoruba] but if we see a visitor, we go to English.”
