CAIRO – The distribution of leaflets misquoting the Qur’an in church newsletters has triggered criticism from Irish Muslim leaders, who condemned them as a “deliberate attempt” to spread anti-Muslim hatred.
“I believe this is a deliberate attempt to spread anti-Muslim hatred, stereotype Muslims and to increase support for this kind of fascism,” Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, Imam of the Islamic Educational and Cultural Centre in Dublin’s Blanchardstown, told the Sunday Independent.
“Misquoting the Qur’an deliberately and taking verses out of context makes it appear that Islam is a religion of violence and war,” he added.
The problem erupted after the discovery of two claimed “ISIL flyers” in church newsletters in Co Westmeath.
The leaflets, claimed to outline “13 doctrines of radical Islam and Isil from the Qur’an”, were found by parishioners at St Mary’s Church and St Peter and Paul’s Church in Athlone.
The first line of the document, believed to be a print out from the internet, reads: “We can rape, marry and divorce prepubescent girls.”
Other statements include: “You can enslave for sex and work”, “crucify and amputate non-Muslims”, “you will kill anyone who leaves Islam” and “you will terrorize non-Muslims”.
Parish priest, Canon Liam Devine, described the situation as “serious” and “frightening.”
“It’s frightening in the sense that we had a big funeral here last July and I would hope there is no connection that they are targeting Athlone or anything,” he said.
“I would hope people wouldn’t be panicked because of it, but I mean we can’t be too careful,” he said.
Catch Culprit
Though the police has not identified who placed the two leaflets inside the church bulletins, Dr Al-Qadri believes it was not an Islamic State sympathizer.
“I don’t think they were put together by an Isil supporter,” he said.
“I know there are sympathizers of Isil, however, there is no hatred mindset among the people of Athlone.”
Dr Al-Qadri plans to contact both parishes and organize a meeting with the Christian Faith members in Athlone to address concerns.
Dr Ali Selim, a Trinity College lecturer and one of the most senior Muslim scholars in Ireland, urged police to catch the culprit.
“I would see it as an act of prejudice – it was done to create unrest and to target our peaceful coexistence in Ireland,” he said.
“If you have a case, then, in the light of day, stand up and present your argument. We live in a democratic country, where people have freedom of speech and expression, but to see people act in such a cowardly way shows nothing but a lack of understanding,” he said.
Muslims make up 1.1 percent of the 4.5 million people in Ireland, but their ranks are swelling due to immigration, domestic births, and in some cases conversion.
Two decades ago, they numbered about 4,000.
A 2011 census recorded 49,204 Muslims, including nearly 12,000 school-aged children. The numbers represent a 51 percent increase since 2006.
The public acceptance has also helped Muslims to easily integrate into Irish society.