A FORMER GAA Ambassador has thanked an Irish government minister for expressing support for the Irish Muslim community after protests surrounding an Eid al-Adha event at Croke Park on Saturday.
Abdullah Al Jumaili initially posted on social media about his upset at “Protests from individuals claiming that Muslims don’t belong there, that Croke Park is only for one faith, one background, one type of Irishness.“ Let me say this clearly: That is not the Ireland we are building.
“As someone who has worked tirelessly in the GAA to champion inclusion, dual identity and the celebration of Irish Muslim heritage, I found the rhetoric this year deeply offensive and simply wrong.”
In response to that, the Irish Minister of Finance, Paschal Donohoe messaged Mr Al Jumaili, saying:
“I am pained to read of protests at your moments of religious celebration and worship.
“The Irish Muslim community is very important to our country and I hope you know that this is felt by the overwhelming majority of your fellow Irish men and women. I am sorry for any upset that was caused.
“Thank you for the work you do in making the case for diversity as a source of strength and pride.”
Mr Al Jumaili, who is known as Abood, said he was “deeply moved” by those words from the Fine Gael TD for Dublin Central, commenting:
“His words were clear, kind and powerful.. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Minister for taking the time to reach out.
“Leadership like this sends a strong signal, especially to young Irish Muslims - that they are valued, seen and supported.”
A child refugee from Iraq, Al Jumaili hurled for his club Ballinteer St John’s in Dublin and was a GAA Ambassador five years, from the start of 2018 to the end of 2022, during which time an historic celebration of Eid was held at GAA headquarters for the first time.
Recalling that, he wrote: “Almost four years ago, I had the honour of delivering a historic speech during Eid al-Adha where Irish Muslims gathered in the heart of Irish sporting culture to pray and celebrate a significant moment of faith and identity.
“It was a beautiful day, one that brought together community, culture and faith under the open sky of Croke Park.
“That moment was not just about prayer. It was about belonging. It was about Irish Muslim children standing with their families on the sacred grass of Croke Park, feeling seen, feeling valued and knowing they are every bit Irish as they are Muslim.
“And the response? Overwhelmingly positive. The media, the public and many within Irish society embraced the message that being Irish and being Muslim are not mutually exclusive.
“That day told the world that Ireland is a place of compassion, inclusion and shared futures.”
In advance of Eid al-Adha (‘Feast of Sacrifice’), which is the second of the two main festivals in Islam, alongside Eid al-Fitr, Al Jumaili had posted this message, in Irish and English:
‘Beannachtaí na Féile Eid al-Adha oraibh go léir. Guím síocháin, sláinte agus sonas oraibh féin agus ar bhur muintir ag an am speisialta seo den bhliain.
‘Wishing you all a joyful and blessed Eid al-Adha. May this special time bring peace, health, and happiness to you and your loved ones.’
However, this year’s Eid celebration in Croke Park received a different reaction, to the dismay of those in the Muslim community, said Al Jumaili:
“It is disheartening to see opposition come not from those who contribute to Irish life, but from those who seek to divide and provoke — people who have added little to the fabric of this country but are quick to question the belonging of others.
“There is no contradiction in being Irish and being Muslim. We are proud of both. We live it daily. We contribute, we support, we build, we serve. And we will continue to do so.
“To those who feel excluded by this duality, I invite you not to fear it, but to understand it. To walk beside us, not against us.
“Because the Ireland of today is one of many stories, many faces and shared dreams.”
