For the past many days the Islamic Centre has received many queries from Muslims living in Ireland about the upcoming Same-Sex Marriage referendum.
Please find below the response by the Head Imam of the Islamic Educational & Cultural Centre, Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri
To download the PDF document please click here marriage refrendum advice

Voting in the Referendum:

Being entitled to vote and to participate in the political process is a privilege that no one should forsake. To participate actively in political process of the country we live in is a duty of every Muslim that resides in Ireland. All Muslims that are eligible to vote are urged to register to vote if they are not yet registered.

Referendum:

The referendum is about an amendment in the Irish constitution that will allow a new legal meaning to marriage, as between two people of the same sex. If the amendment is passed then same sex married couples will be recognised as a Family. This will mean that same-sex couples will be able to adopt and raise children. The referendum is not about changing Islamic marriage, but about changing marriage in the Irish constitution. Imams will not be obliged legally to conduct an Islamic marriage (Nikaah) between same sex couples.

Islam on Homosexuality:

The Islamic tradition has always acknowledged that some people may have homosexual impulses and these impulses are not considered as sins in Islam. However to act on these sexual impulses is considered a severe sin and is strictly prohibited (Haraam) in Islam. The Quran mentions the story of the nation LUT that was punished for acting on homosexuality (Al-Quran 7:80-81 / 26:165). Various Hadith also condemn the act of homosexuality. As Muslims we believe homosexuality is dangerous for the health and for society as it threatens the foundation of the society which is the Family. As Muslims we also believe all humans are born on Fitrah (natural disposition) and that nobody is born as a homosexual.  
There is difference of opinion however among Muslim jurists whether homosexuality is a punishable crime or not. These are the beliefs of Muslims, but Muslims are not allowed by Islam to impose their beliefs on non Muslims. 

Attitude towards Homosexuals:

As Muslims we must believe in equality and inclusiveness. People should not be discriminated for any reason. It is important to humanize people and not to de humanize.
The Islamic tradition teaches to hate the sin but not the sinner. The attitude of some Muslims towards homosexuals is incompatible with the spirit of mercy and kindness in Islam.

Attitude of Same-Sex advocates:

Same-sex advocates should also accept that others cannot be forced to approve of what they sincerely believe is wrong. They should also not de humanize anyone who believes homosexuality to be a sin. The essence of religious freedom is that individuals and communities must have freedom to determine their core doctrinal beliefs and they must be tolerated in the public sphere.

 Consequences of Amendment

The amendment is about the Article on the Family (Article 41). Marriage is contained within this article, as “the institution upon which the family is founded”.
Supporters of the same-sex marriage amendment say the referendum is about “equality” for gay people and acceptance in mainstream society. It is however not as simple as that. The amendment will have serious consequences, as it will redefine marriage and parenthood. It will open the door to new definitions of marriage, which could extend further.
These are consequences on children and future generations.

How to Vote as an Irish Muslim ?

When voting do not only keep in mind the Islamic stance on homosexuality but also keep in mind the consequences of the amendment in the constitution for the society.
The Irish constitution guarantees all Irish citizens the freedom of conscience and Muslims must exercise this right when voting on 22^nd May 2015.

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MEDIA REPORTS:

IRISH TIMES : Muslim Leader warns against Yes Vote in marriage referendum

THE JOURNAL.IE : Islamic Centre issues advice to Irish Muslims on same-sex marriage referendum

E-SHAFAQNA : Imam of Dublin Islamic Centre says approval will open door to new definitions of marriage

Imam condemns prosecution of Christians in the Muslim countries and leads congregation to observe 2 minutes silence for the victims Garissa al-Shabab attack.

Muslims pray collectively every Friday in the Mosque as every Friday is considered a holy day to Muslims. This Friday was also Good Friday,a day which is considered sacred and holy to Christians.

Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri, Imam of the Al-Mustafa Islamic Centre, dedicated the first part of the Friday sermon to mention the similarities between Islam and Christianity and dedicated the second part of the Friday sermon to condemn the prosecution of Christians.

Shaykh Al-Qadri said in the first part of his sermon that most scholars speak only about the differences between these religions. This is not the method of the Quran. The Quran when mentioning Christianity not only highlights the differences but also the similarities between these 2 faiths. In order to build trust and bridge the gap between these two largest religious communities in the World it is important to emphasize on that what is common between these two faiths.
The believe in one Creator, in the Virgin Mary, the Prophet Jesus, Life after Death are among some of the similarities between Islam and Christianity. Loving the Creator, loving ones neighbor , and charity are also important parts of the 2 faiths.

In the second part of the speech Shaykh Al-Qadri condemned the prosecution and killing of Christians particularly the recent massacre of 147 Christians by militant group Al-Shabaab in Kenia.

Shaykh Al-Qadri said that those who prosecute Christians are ignorant about the teachings of Islam. In 628 AD, a delegation from St. Catherine’s Monastery came to Prophet Muhammad and requested his protection. He granted them protection and provided them with a letter which is called the “Charter of Privileges.” It consisted of several clauses covering all aspects of human rights including such topics as the protection of Christians, freedom of worship and movement, freedom to appoint their own judges and to own and maintain their property, exemption from military service, and the right to protection in war.

(Please see the text of the Charter of Privileges below)

Shaykh Al-Qadri said that this charter had been honored faithfully applied by Muslims throughout the centuries in all lands they ruled but the rise of radical interpretation of Islam has lead to prosecution of Christians. Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri said also that in Saudi Arabia the radical interpretation of Islam is applied and this is why Christians are not allowed to build churches. Christians and people of all faith should have the right to practise their religion freely. The rise of radical Islam can only be stopped by spreading the true teachings of Islam and eliminating the ignorance that is common among Muslims.

Shaykh Al-Qadri also said it is important that interfaith meetings take place between followers of these 2 faiths. Such meetings take place on leadership level but the message does not reach the worshippers. Most Imams that participate in interfaith meetings do not inform their congregation of such interfaith meetings. To participate in interfaith meetings is important to create dialogue and understanding but this message must reach the grass root levels so it will have positive effect.

The Friday prayers were concluded with the observance of 2 minutes silence for the victims of Garissa al-Shabaab attack.

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For Media inquiries please contact : T 01-5156206 M 087-6764122 info@islamiccentre.ie

Text of the “Charter of Privileges”

This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them.
Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them.
No compulsion is to be on them.
Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries.
No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims’ houses.
Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God’s covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate.
No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight.
The Muslims are to fight for them.
If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray.
Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants.
No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).

MEDIA LINKS :

IRSH INDEPENDENT ARTICLE : Irish Imam Condemns persecution of Christian in Muslim Countries

IRISH TIMES: Dublin Imam condemns killing and persecution of Christians

IMAMS ONLINE : Irish Imam condemns persecution of Christians in Muslim countries

BLOG of DR. CRAIG CONSIDINE : Irish Imam Promotes Dialogue and Goodwill Between Christians and Muslims

SHAFAQNA : Irish Imam calls for interfaith cooperation and solidarity

An unprecedented meeting of senior figures from the major faiths in Ireland has taken place at the Terenure Synagogue Hall in Dublin, as religious representatives gathered for a meal together. The event was organised by the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland.

Among the 30 guests were  were Shaykh Dr. Umar Al-Qadri from the Blanchardstown Mosque,  Dr Nooh Al-Kaddo and Shaheen Ahmed of the Clonskeagh mosque, Sheikh Yahya Al-Hussein of the South Circular Rd mosque, Dr Ali Al-Saleh of the Milltown mosque, Dr Ihab Ahmad of the Cork City mosque, Rabbi Zalman Lent, leader of Ireland’s Hebrew congregation, and Leonard Abrahamson, president of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland.

Also were present papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown, the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin, the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson, retired Church of Ireland primate Alan Harper, Rev Dr Alan Martin and Dr Sam Hutchinson of the Presbyterian Church, and Dr Andrew Doughtery of theMethodist Church

‘Deepen understanding’

Greeting all, “but most especially representatives of the Muslim faith in Ireland”, Jewish Representative Council chair Maurice Cohen said: “This evening we hope that the space we make at our table will be symbolic of our genuine desire to deepen the understanding between Jews and our Muslim and Christian friends .”

Mr Cohen said that while the group tended to bump into each other at civic ceremonies, “we do not really know one another well enough to stand together in times of crisis”.

“In sitting down this evening we cannot ignore the fact that recent years have seen significant physical turmoil in all faiths . . . particularly in the Middle East and Africa. Much of this turmoil is done in the name of religion, with God’s name being hijacked for the purpose.”

Mr Cohen said that for people in Ireland “to be of any help, I feel we need to focus . . . on creating a unity of purpose in the minds of people. This means that room needs to be made by people and not just for people”.

“We must see what happened in the not-so-distant 1920s and 1930s in Europe.

“We must be aware that what happened then is bubbling to the surface in many other countries. We have seen the rise of anti-Semitism throughout Europe. In its wake, we have a rise in Islamophobia.”

Mr Cohen said that what is required is “a paradigmatic shift of thinking in Ireland”.