Senior Muslim cleric hurt in ‘deliberate hate crime attack’

The chairman of the Irish Muslim Council has said he was hospitalised after being targeted in what he described as a “deliberate hate crime attack”.

Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri outlined details of the incident in Tallaght on Thursday evening in a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter.

Gardai said they were investigating what they described as a robbery and assault that left one man requiring medical attention.

Dr Al-Qadri said it appeared to be a “planned attack” after he agreed to meet two people in Tallaght.

“The next thing I remember is feeling disoriented in my car, surrounded by helpful Irish neighbours of the area I was visiting, as the Gardai and ambulance arrived,” he said.

“I was injured and had lost consciousness, but my mobile phone was still with me, allowing me to contact my friends who arrived within 15 minutes. They took me to the hospital where I stayed overnight.”

The senior cleric said he had a CT scan in hospital.

“Thankfully, there is no brain injury or broken jaw, but the left side of my face is severely swollen and my front teeth are damaged,” he posted.

Dr Al-Qadri, who said he was having difficulty speaking and eating because of pain in his face and mouth, thanked people who assisted him in the wake of the incident and also expressed his gratitude to all those who had sent well wishes.

“Having lived in Ireland for 21 years, this has never happened to me,” he said.

“This incident doesn’t change the fact that I deeply appreciate and cherish Ireland and its people.”

He insisted it was not a planned robbery.

“I want to reiterate that the attackers did not want to rob me. It was a pre-planned attack intended to cause harm. My mobile phone, car and watch was not taken,” he said.

A Garda spokeswoman said: “Gardai are investigating a robbery and assault that occurred in Tallaght, Dublin 24 on Thursday evening, February 15 2024.

“One man required medical attention following the incident. Investigations are ongoing at this time.”