DUBLIN—April 25, 2025
The Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI) in Clonskeagh, Dublin — the country’s largest mosque — will remain closed today and will not host Friday prayer services, following a weekend incident and ongoing security concerns.
The ICCI has been closed to the public since Saturday, April 19, when a closed-door meeting scheduled by the mosque’s board for parents of students at the Quranic School was reportedly disrupted by attempts to turn it into an open community gathering at the wrong venue.
In a message to the Muslim community in Ireland, Sheikh Hussein Halawa, Imam of the ICCI, described the news as “distressing,” emphasising that the center represents “a symbol of unity.” He urged people to “verify the accuracy of any news you hear and not to be swept away by rumours.”
The ICCI released a formal statement this morning confirming that the temporary closure had been ordered by the newly appointed Board of Directors. The statement called the move “a preventive measure to ensure the safety and security of the property, staff, children, and members of the public.”
The board said it had received credible information about planned protests, including possible attempts to breach the center’s gates and “forcibly take control of the premises.” As a result, it was determined that “maintaining security would be impossible if the centre remained open.”
The statement continued: “The Centre remains concerned about ongoing safety risks, particularly given reports that further protests may be organized with the intent to incite individuals to breach the gates and forcibly occupy ICCI premises. We trust that the gardaí will continue to ensure the protection of the center during this time.”
Addressing speculation, the ICCI board dismissed rumours of external interference, stating, “The center reiterates that rumors of pressure from abroad or any external actors/parties are false and without foundation.”
The mosque will remain closed while a full security review is carried out. In parallel, the board said it is also conducting a comprehensive audit to address inherited issues concerning legal, financial, and governance structures.
The closure also follows escalating tensions around the Nurul Huda Quranic School, which operated at the center. The school has been closed since mid-April after a conflict between its staff and the board. The principal and deputy principal both resigned on April 9, amid the growing dispute.
Founded in 2000, the school serves more than 1,000 students and offers Quranic studies and Arabic classes on weekends and some weekday evenings. It is now understood to have been re-registered and is operating independently from the ICCI, delivering lessons via Zoom.
At present, there is no announced timeline for when the ICCI will reopen for worship or community events.
