New deal for hundreds of Saudis to study in Ireland

SEVERAL HUNDRED Saudi students will travel to Ireland for vocational training under an agreement reached between the Government and the authorities there.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O’Keeffe, who is in the Middle East on a trade mission, announced the agreement yesterday. He said it would boost the economy and help to create local jobs.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/1104/1224282635063.html

First stones laid for Galway mosque

FOUNDATION stones for Galway’s first purpose-built mosque have been laid by international and national leaders of the Amhadiyya Muslim community.

The Masjid Maryum (Mary Mosque) will be open to “all worshippers of all faiths” when it is built in Ballybrit, the Irish Ahmadiyya Muslim chapter said last night.

Muslims are now the third largest faith grouping in the Republic, mainly Sunnis, and there are about 3,000 Muslims in Galway. Ahmadi worshippers are in the minority, but share good relations with fellow Muslims, Imran Ahmed Sheikh said.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0918/1224279173021.html

Al-Qaeda extremists are taking hold here, claims Muslim cleric

EXTREMIST Muslims influenced by al-Qaeda are taking a hold in Ireland and some of these young adults are becoming influential in the country's universities, the Muslim religious leader of a Dublin mosque has warned.

Two Muslims living in Ireland have been charged with minor offences relating to the international investigation into the alleged plot to murder cartoonist Lars Vilks, who controversially depicted the prophet Mohammed with the body of a dog.

http://www.tribune.ie/news/home-news/article/2010/may/09/al-qaeda-extremists-are-taking-hold-here-claims-mu/

Seven held over plot to kill cartoonist

Gardaí have arrested seven suspects in Waterford and Cork as part of an international investigation into an alleged plot to murder a cartoonist who drew images of the Prophet Muhammad.

The four men and three women - all of whom are foreign nationals – were arrested in a major search operation by Garda specialist units this morning.

The Irish Times understands most of those arrested are from Algeria, Croatia, Libya, the United States and Palestinian, and that they are legally resident in Ireland.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0309/breaking40.html

Saudis' Islamic school here

Plans for an Islamic school in Dublin to teach the children of Saudi people living here have been announced by the Saudi Embassy in the capital.

Details of the decision are carried in Arabic on the embassy website, which says the decision to set up the school was taken at a meeting in Dublin last last month.

http://www.herald.ie/national-news/city-news/saudis-islamic-school-here-1968607.html

Warning on Dublin suspect's link to Bin Laden

The 47-year-old has previously denied involvement in terrorism, claiming to be a charity worker. He also claimed to be a journalist at one point.

He is already wanted by the US, Interpol, Libya and the UN. Here he is constantly monitored by the Middle Eastern section of the Special Branch but he has never faced any terror charges.

Buwisir, in Ireland since 1982, lives at his family home in Broadford Drive, Ballinteer, with his wife and children.

Questions have been raised on how he has been able to maintain Irish Citizenship, which was granted by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/warning-on-dublin-suspects-link-to-bin-laden-14483861.html#ixzz0QdXezNRP

Al Jazeera TV focus on Irish Muslim family

ARABIC news network Al Jazeera has taken an active interest in the plight of an Irish girl who wants to wear a religious headscarf to school.

The Egan family from Wexford, who were caught up in the row over the wearing of the hijab in Irish schools have been featured on the Al Jazeera English channel.

Liam and his wife Beverley requested that their 14-year-old daughter, Shekinah Egan, be allowed to wear the religious headdress to Gorey Community School last September, sparking debate on the issue.

While Shekinah was allowed to wear the hijab, the Government refused to take a stand on the issue, leaving it as a matter for individual schools.

http://www.herald.ie/national-news/al-jazeera-tv-focus-on-irish-family-who-want-hijab-in-schools-1476360.html

Hijab row in schools kicks off for new term

The new school term is barely hours old and the hijab debate is already back on the curriculum.

A group of Muslims has been formed to campaign for the wearing of the head scarf in schools and is now lobbying for a law to allow the practice.

The Irish Hijab Campaign has said it aims to educate the general public on the significance of the hijab head-dress and its normalisation in Irish society. The group also intends to encourage the wearing of the hijab in the workplace as part of everyday uniforms.

http://www.herald.ie/national-news/hijab-row-in-schools-kicks-off-for-new-the-term-1467667.html