In a society where intolerance continues to rear its head and attempt to define the way in which Irish people see themselves, Croke Park struck another blow for the quiet majority at the weekend when opening up the stadium for a celebration of Eid al-Adha.

Morning prayers were followed by an Eid Festival including introducing children to Gaelic Games.

This is the fifth year that the stadium has opened its doors to the Irish Muslim community, initially when Mosques were closed by Covid, and since then, it has been a major venue where over 1,000 Muslims have been able to gather.

“We extend a warm welcome to the Irish Muslim community,” said GAA President Jarlath Burns.  “The GAA is committed to diversity and inclusion, and this opening of our doors expresses that.”

“For us to be able to spend our day of Eid here, especially with what is happening right now, the divisive rhetoric, the racism that is becoming prevalent, it shows that institutions such as the GAA are truly committed to inclusion, truly committed to their motto of ‘where we all belong’,” said Shaykh Dr Umar Al Qadri, Chair of the Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council.

“It shows to us as Muslims, Irish Muslims. We’re not just being tolerated; we’re not just being accepted; we are being embraced.”

This year’s event had to add a small registration fee due to hundreds of spurious registrations last year from those elements of society that see a difference as a bad thing.

The GAA is one of a number of sporting bodies that has opened a Book of Support for members of the public to express their support for Irish sporting stars who inspire them regardless of their colour, creed, or any other form of what others see as intolerable difference.

 

 

 

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