Fr Seamus Fleming’s letter (Metro Eireann, 12–18 April) made some very kind remarks about Islam and Muslims. In this we are in full agreement. As an imam for more than 35 years, Islam is Sheikh Shaheed Satardien’s life, and we are very positive about the benefits that Islam can bring to anyone. However, Fr Fleming’s letter attacked Sheikh Satardien’s criticism of some in the Muslim community who either ignore extremism or act in a way that facilitates it.
Fr Fleming’s comments about our Sheikh raise the issue of one’s responsibility, not just to one’s own community, but to society as a whole. If Sheikh Satardien knows there are some dangerous trends in his community, should he keep quiet about it so as not to ‘rock the boat’? Fr Fleming knows that there was a small minority of clergy who abused children, and another minority who knew about this abuse and did nothing about it. Did the clergy who brushed this under the carpet to avoid ‘rocking the boat’ do the right thing?
We are aware that there are a number of extremist Muslims in Ireland, and that there are elements of the Muslim ‘establishment’ in Ireland who are refusing to face up to this, and indeed who share some of the views of these extremists (including support for suicide bombing). We have been saying this for some time. The fact of the existence of these extremists was confirmed earlier this month in the Dáil, by the Taoiseach. We know that campaigning against extremism in the Muslim community can unintentionally bring negative publicity to Muslims. But should we keep quiet about this issue? As human beings and devout Muslims, we believe we have a responsibility not only to our religion, and our spiritual community, but to society at large.
We are aware that there are a number of extremist Muslims in Ireland, and that there are elements of the Muslim ‘establishment’ in Ireland who are refusing to face up to this, and indeed who share some of the views of these extremists (including support for suicide bombing). We have been saying this for some time. The fact of the existence of these extremists was confirmed earlier this month in the Dáil, by the Taoiseach. We know that campaigning against extremism in the Muslim community can unintentionally bring negative publicity to Muslims. But should we keep quiet about this issue? As human beings and devout Muslims, we believe we have a responsibility not only to our religion, and our spiritual community, but to society at large.
