During the Holy Month of Ramadan this year once again, after two years pandemic restrictions, the Ministry of Awqaf in Egypt with the support of the Egyptian Embassy in Dublin and the Irish Embassy in Cairo, facilitated two Imams to spend Ramadan in the Islamic Centre of Ireland. 

The Islamic Centre of Ireland management and the whole Muslim community in Dublin is thankful to the Ministry of Awqaf in Egypt to accept their request for Imams in Ramadan so that the Muslim community in Dublin can enjoy the Qur’anic recitation and receive  Islamic guidance by the Egyptian Imams. 

Both the Imams, Shaykh Ahmed Makki and Shaykh Dr Khaled Sarhan, are graduates of the most prestigious Islamic seat of learning, Jamia Al-Azhar Al-Sharif University.

Shaykh Ahmed Makki is the Chief Imam of one of Cairo’s largest Mosques, the Syedna Imam Hussain Mosque.  Shaykh Dr Khaled Sarhan is working at the Ministry of Awqaf as an Islamic scholar and interpreter. 

Shaykh Dr. Umar Al-Qadri, Chief Imam at Islamic Centre Ireland, and the team of the Islamic Centre Ireland warmly received the Imams and hosted them for the whole month. The Muslim community has tremendously benefited from the presence of the Imams and enjoyed their beautiful and unique recitation of the Holy Quran during the Holy Month. 

Shaykh Dr. Umar Al-Qadri especially thanked H.E. Ambassador Khaled Sarwat for his support in organising the trip of the two Imams from Egypt and hoped that in the future not only the Islamic Centre of Ireland but other affiliated Islamic Centres in Ireland will be able to host Imams from Egypt. The presence of such Imams that are trained in Al-Azhar University ensures that authentic teachings of Islam are promoted. This is the most effective remedy to combat Islamophobia in this day and age.

The Egyptian Imams also participated in Community Iftar dinners and interfaith engagements that promote Peace and Unity among all communities. Irish Parliamentarians, policy makers, faith leaders and many other non-Muslim guests attended the Annual Community Iftar.

Building bridges is an essential part of the work of the Imams. The Jamia Al-Azhar Al-Sharif (University) produces scholars that promote the authentic teaching of Islam which promotes religious pluralism. 

Shaykh Ahmed Makki returned to Cairo a day before the day of Eid but Shaykh Khaled Sarhan remained in Ireland to lead one of the Eid prayers.