FOSIS :: Ireland - FOSIS Ireland History

1959 - A new beginning

The 1950's marked some major landmarks in the history of Ireland. Eamon de Velare became the Taoiseach for the 2nd and 3rd time in his political career, The Nobel Prize for Physics was awarded jointly to Professor Ernest Walton of Trinity College Dublin and Sir John Cockcroft, The Soviet satellite Sputnik was visible over Dublin for the second time in just over a month, Dublin's very own Liam Whelan is pronounced dead when a plane carrying the Manchester United team crashes in Munich.

Although it has been documented that the earliest Muslim to arrive in Ireland was Deen Mahomet (1759-1851) [who later changed his name to Dean Mahomed having apostised to Christianity, which also makes him the first apostate] in cork in 1784. Muslim students really started getting into the pictures during the 1950's when the enrolled to study in the world-renowned Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). The majority of Muslim students were from South Africa due to the severe socio-political climate with the introduction of apartheid in 1948.

The first batch of Muslims came in the 1952; there were less than 10 in total. Subsequent years [1954] saw an increasing number of Muslims enrolling in the RCSI School of medicine. The Muslim students prayed in the residences where they lived. Within 1-2 years the brothers started prayers in the physics room. The first organised Jamaah prayers of Magrib and Isha was organised in 33 Harcourt Street, Koinonia house. This was a protestant hostel for a student in which most South Africans lived and that's where the prayers started with just a few brothers. Subsequent to that Jummah prayers was organised in the sitting room of the Koinonia house and when jamaat grew bigger then they did the prayers in the canteen located in basement of Koinonia house. Dr. Yusuf Jhavary would be the khateeb for jummah salat and would play a pivotal role in the leadership of the Muslim students in years to come.

The students felt that an organised body must be established to ensure the continuity of the Jummah, Eid prayers and some lectures. 33 students from various different countries met on Friday evening 23rd January 1959 in the sitting room of Koinonia house. The original minutes (scanned copy available below) of the meeting were taken as follows:

General Meeting on 23^rd January 1959
On 23rd January (Friday) 1959, a general meeting was held at Koinonia house with the purpose of whether or not to form a Muslim committee, which would organise Friday Namaaz (prayers), Eid Namaaz & some lectures.
Thirty-Three students of the Muslim faith and who belonged to various countries, gathered at a meeting. The matter was discussed and a vote was taken to finalise whether such a body was wanted or not. It was also agreed that the functions of this body would be decided by the students (Muslims)

The following officials was elected:-
Chairman: Mr. Hoosen Lockhat
Secretary: Mr. Yousuf Jhavary
Treasurer: Mr. Ismail Docrat

Committee of 8 members:
Hoosen Lockhat (South African)
Ismail Docrat (South African)
Zakideen Zaveri (Tanzanian)
Ahmad Al-Atrash (Syrian)
Yousuf Jhavary (South African)
Ebrahim Mannah (Egyptian)
Harith Lamki (Egyptian)
Abdullah Al-Kathiri (Syrian)

Other prominent individuals who participated and played an active role included Dr. Yusuf Viazie (Dentistry student in RCSI when the college had the undergraduate programme), Dr. Muhammad Khan, Dr. Yusuf Essack among others alike.

Another meeting was held on February 59' with the following minutes being recorded:

Committee Meeting on 7^th February 1959
On Saturday the 7th February 1959 a committee meeting was held at Koinonia House, 33 Harcourt Street, Dublin. The committee sanctioned that the holding of the Friday Namaaz (Prayer) and decided that Fasting time-tables should be printed for the forth coming fasting season. The committee also decided that arrangements should made for accommodating a large crowd Eid Namaaz. It was hoped that a name for the body would be decided upon at the next General meeting. It was agreed at this meeting to print circulars and inform students who follow the Islamic faith, that prayers would be held on Friday at Koninia House. Another general meeting was held on April that same year:

GENERAL MEETING ON 17^th APRIL 1959
On Friday the 17th April 1959 a general meeting was held at Koinonia House, 33 Harcourt street, Dublin (Circulars announcing this meeting and also Eid Namaaz - on 10th April were distributed.)One of the main purposes of holding this meeting was to decide upon a name for the Muslim Body, which was formed at an earlier meeting - on the 23rd of January 1959. At the meeting the following three names were suggested:-

Dublin Islamic Jamaat was suggested by Mr. Hoosein Jamal
Islamic Study Circle was suggested by Mr. Yousuf Jhavary
Dublin Islamic Society was suggested by Mr.Ragaa Makharita

Mr. Jamal withdrew his suggestion in favour of Mr. Makharita's suggestion. Then the vote was taken to decide between the two names- Islamic study circle and Dublin Islamic Society. The majority voted for Dublin Islamic Society, and hence forth that name was used for our Muslim Body in Dublin. It was decided at this meeting that there must be no subscription fee levied on anybody who participated in the activities of this society. If anyone does wish to donate any money to the Dublin Islamic Society, it will be accepted. It was emphasised that donations would be purely voluntary and that there would be no compulsion. The treasurer had mentioned at this meeting that a voluntary collection on Eid day (10th April 1959) had realized that £10. It was agreed that 5 pounds would be sent to the orphans of the Algerian freedom fighters and the other 5 pounds would be added to the kitty of the Society. Mr. Makharita and Yousuf Jhavary further donated £1 + £3 respectively and this was added to the Algerian total of £9 in all. That £9 pounds was sent to the Algerian government (in exile) in Cairo. Later, the Chairman left the floor open for any suggestions people wanted to make. Mr. Abdullah Al-Kathiri kindly suggested that the society should hold "discussion groups". It was decided that this suggestion should be postponed to some later date after the body was able to stand on its feet, the society too young then and had to muster its energies in arranging to hold Friday and Eid Prayers. During the suggestions that followed, some students showed anxiety concerning the power of the committee. However, the chairman assured them and reiterated that the people govern the committee and that the committee had no power to carry out anything else (besides their duties) on their own. Mr. Ragaa Makharita very kindly offered to spend one to two hours a week voluntarily to coach any students who wished to learn the Arabic language. Later the Chairman, Mr. Hoosen Lockhat, tended in his resignation due to ill health. Therefore, a new President was voted in, and a Vice-President was also elected since the new President intended leaving Dublin at the end of June, 1959. The new President was Mr. Rajaa Makharita - proposed by Mr. Abdullah Al-Kathiri and was seconded by Mr. Ismail Docrat.The elected Vice-president was Mr. Essop Ravat- Proposed by Rafiq Jhetam and seconded by Mr. Yousuf Jhavary. (Mr. Ravat later became the President in June when Mr. Makharita departed from Dublin.) The former Chairman, Mr. H Lockhat thanked everybody for their co-operation and brought the meeting to a close.

The Muslim students then formally requested the late Registrar Dr. Harry O'Flanagan [Who I presume has been honoured with the O'Flanagan lecture theatre and the prestigious Harry O'Flanagan award for excellence in undergraduate research commemorated in his name] for permission in using the college facilities for Eid prayers. RCSI had a very strict policy of no religious duties being performed in its constitution. But these students were the first to be given the honour to perform the Eid prayer in the old college hall (Located beside the Board Room in the older part of RCSI). The first Eid prayer attracted many Muslims from Ireland to participate. It just comes to show that with determination, unity, tawakkul and organised effort can overcome major obstacles on the Dawaah platform.

Dr. Yusuf Jhavary delivered regular Jummah khutbahs and Dr. Mohammad Khan gave the Eid khutbahs. They concentrated heavily in the organising the Friday prayers, Dr. Yusuf Viazie recalls that some brothers used to go to the 1 shilling entry dance hall in Harcourt street (Gardai station now) on Thursday nights to remind the many brothers that would go there about Jummah prayer the next day! The students decided to organise an Islamic library and buy 2nd hand Cyclostyle (copier) to print the first Islamic magazine in Ireland [Interesting to note that the students invested their own money without any sponsorship from anyone, Shows the importance of sacrifice in the path of Allah swt]. The students then decided to formally become affiliated to FOSIS UK in 1963. They contacted Dr. Idris Jafar, one of the founding members of FOSIS UK (Along with Said Ramadan and Khurram Murad, Although more documented research needs to be done by the UK on this matter) to establish FOSIS Ireland. FOSIS UK sent monthly magazines called "The Muslim" to Ireland, which was the only source of information that the Muslim students had with the outside Islamic world. Member of the DIS attended annual FOSIS conferences in the UK regularly until the early 1980s (This was to start again in the 21st century with the revival of FOSIS Ireland).

1955-1959, First group decided to form an Islamic Charity were: Mohammad Khan, Fatima Chaudry Malon, Iftikhar Ahmad, Mhammad Saleh, Mohamed.

At that time very active Algerian liberation movement in Algeria and South African politics-Abdul Samad Minty and Dr Qadir Asma who came afterwards had many meetings held by South African Muslims in communication with the political climate of South Africa. There were quite a number of South Africans at that time were sympathisers of communism in view of world politics, however its interesting to note that even the communists were also coming to the prayers.

In the mid 60's the students had regular monthly meetings, because of the massive increase in student population the students (with senior students now graduated) and in 1965-1966 they decided to have the Jummah & Eid prayers in Ballet School that was right next door to RCSI (now the RCSI pharmacy building), which continued right until the mid 70's when the No.7 Harrington Street mosque was bought. Dr Muhammad Khan was then the most staunchest, motivated and determined Muslim who lead the jummah and eid prayers, he was also the treasurer, secretary and president of the DIS during the mid 60's (Highlights the importance of leadership and taking an active role to inspire others).

The first social Eid Dinners were held in Molesworth hall (Now the EU building) and again at behest of archbishop sims (protestant archbishop) and was organised by an Egyptian accountant student called Ibrahim. Subsequent to this the first Taraveeh prayers were held in the British council building in Leeson Street in 1965. Prayers were lead by Muslim architecture students from Syria called Br. Mohammad, Br. Ismael (May Allah have mercy on him) and Br. Ahmad who is now serving a life-sentence in jail under the dictatorship Alawite regime in Syria for his involvement with the Syrian Ikhwan-Al Muslimeen.

1960-1965. Group of Ladies were living in rented accommodation also formed Charity between themselves (not registered) called Islamic Centre. The gathering took place in No.7 Harrington Street and at 68 Lr. Leeson Street Dublin.

Dr. Yusuf Viazie organised an Eid reception for Muslims in Trinity College Dublin, a variety activities included Quran recitation, Nasheeds and scrumptious deserts. The students then bought kosher meat from a Jewish shop in conjunction with restaurant called New Dheli in Camden Street for the next Eid in 1965. In 66' the students cooked a massive pot of food for Eid.

In 68' new students arrived, There was a foreseeing need for secure a permanent building for the community, The students predicted that the Muslims population would increase with time and that the current facilities would not be sustainable and adequate in the long run. This lead to a very rowdy and heated meeting between students in a flat, Fitzwilliam street whether to have such a meeting about a future project or not.

Dr. Yusuf Isaac (currently in the USA) took a very strong stand against the project of a mosque this lead to a very heated meeting. Dr. Yusuf Viazie took over as chairman of the DIS. 2 brothers decided to collect money for masjid, 1 was Jordanian brother (studying biochemistry in TCD) and the other was an Iranian called Ibrahim (from Seattle, USA). Then in 68' a TCD lecturer in economics and statistics called Mustafa took the lead in trying to establish mosque, as did Harith lamki who was majored in Maths, TCD. Both pursued to in the mosque project, they came on Friday post jummah to ask Dr. Viazie (chairman at the time) for written endorsement for mosque project. In 1968 Dr. Viazie gave the go-ahead for the mosque project. Dr. Viazie graduated from RCSI dental school in 1968 and would later be among the founders of the first Quran Madrassah alongside Br. Muhammad Yusuf and Dr. Rashid Ibrahim which was held in Harrington street mosque. From there on in many students played a major role in collecting money for the mosque project such as Ghulam Nabi Ajam who now in resides in Australia and Sulaiman Kareem from South Africa.

That 70's Show

After the initial conflict about the mosque project was rsolved. Two Muslim brothers were the crux regarding this matter. They were postgraduate engineering students from Syria, Br. Ahmed Bilal and Br. Adnaan Kasab. They quietly inspired and educated the young and inexperienced office bearers with religious knowledge, great acumen, wisdom and dignity. They encouraged as many people as possible to take an active part in the affairs of the Society. The objective of which was to strengthen the unity of the Muslim community. This was achieved through a process of mutual consultation i.e. Shura.

Several workshops were held and many sub-committees were formed which would closely liaise with the Executive Committee. Members with particular talents gravitated and volunteered to their areas of interest in these committees. There were on average 7 people in each SC and within a short span of time between 50 to 60 people were directly involved with the Society. The subcommittees included The Centre (Money collecting for the mosque), Publication (DIS magazine), Social (sports including soccer, table tennis, tennis and sisters only swimming pool sessions), Cemetery, Anti-misrepresentation of Islam ie Dawaah sector, Women's sector, Education, Zabeeha (Halal slaughter).

The education sector arranged annual education conferences. Amongst the guest speakers were the late Prof. Ishtiaaq Quraishi, Historian and an Islamic Scholar, Br. Dawood Owen from FOSIS UK, and Br. Abu Bakr Muhammad of the Muslim Youth Movement in South Africa.

The students planned to raise and collect money for the mosque project. They contacted Muslim Embassies in London and they were kept informed of the activities of the Society via the monthly newsletters and annual magazine. 4 brothers made personal contact with the embassies and eventually Br. Salem Azzam, the then Director of the Islamic Council of Europe, helped with the cause.

In 1970, students started a fund raising drive during their summer vacation in South Africa, and raised approximately £11, 000 Irish pounds. The Government of Abu Dhabi donated £1,518 (March 1973) and King Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudia Arabia donated £17,914.28 (March 1974).

The Islamic Society and centre (mosque) was initially set up by the determination, vision and enthusiasm of Dr. Ahmed Goolam Mohamed Adam was the President of the DIS. Subh'Allah until his departure, he was the who collected all the money from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the balance from South Africa totaling £75 000 in all. Before this the prayers were still held in the ballet dance school where the prayer mats were laid down for Jumaah Salat and removed after the salat.

The President of the Islamic Society was usually a senior Medical student in the penultimate year of study and usually occupied the position for a year although Dr. Ahmed (nicknamed Ahmedy) Adam probably occupied the position for longer until it was time to leave. In 1976 a four-storey building at No. 7 Harrington Street, Dublin 6, was purchased and this became the first Mosque in Ireland (pictures of it shown in appendix).

Br. Ahmed Goolam Mohamed Adam officially opened the mosque in August 1976. This was a major milestone and it filled the hearts of Muslims in Ireland with immense joy and happiness.

The mosque on Harrington Street was next door to the Garda Siochana. The DIS was given permission in using the Gardai facilities for Eid prayers and other functions when the mosque facility was inadequate to accommodate large-scale events. This helped form a splendid relationship between the Muslim community and the Gardai.

In March 1971 the Dublin Islamic Society was officially and legally registered under the Friendly Society's Act. In October 1971 the following students became the nominees of the Trustee for opening of bank accounts for the DIS:

Br. Ebrahim Sayed (South African)
Br. Khalil Ravan (South African)
Br. Tazammul Hassan (Hussain) Hayat (South African)
Br. Mohamed Hanief Khan (South African)
Br. Abdul Kader Bhabha (South African)
Br. Abdul Haqq Suleman Kajee (South African)
Sr. Fatima Chaudry Malon (Indian/Pakistani)
Br. Hamed Hussain Nasser (South African)
Br. Hassan Kadwa (South African)

Bank account opened on trust in Royal Bank of Ireland at Grafton Street Branch. Registered address was P.O. Box 548 Rathmines, Dublin 6 used for official purposes. Dublin Islamic Society replaced Islamic Centre previously (unregistered), but number of Moslem ladies continued the activities as ladies charity.

Br. Mahomed Coovadia (South African) was appointed as Trustee instead of Ebrahim Sayed. In addition to being a Trustee, during the period 1967 - 1975 he also served as Secretary and Vice-President of the DIS.

In November 1975 New Trustees were appointed:

Br. Tazammul Hussain (Hussain) Hayat (South African)
Br. Ahmed Goolam Mohamed Adam (South African)
Br. Salem Azzam (Saudi Arabian, based in the UK)
Br. Dr. Ismail Coovadia (South African, now Irish national)
Br. Abdul Hamid Nasser (1976) (South African)
Br. Mahmood Y. Motala (1976) (South African)

The 70's saw two distinguished Muslims from Malaysia. One was Dr. Abdul Razack Kichik who had a very eloquent recitation of the Holy Quraan and the second was the famous RCSI medical student Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who was awarded the prestigious MacNaughton-Jones gold medal in 1977 for being the top student in obstetrics and gynecology for her year. She would later marry Anwar Ibrahim (former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia) and become the leader of the People's Justice Party and for a short period of time the leader of the Malaysian government opposition.

In 1976 The DIS bought a small separate plot in Mount Jerome cemetery, Harold's Cross, Dublin 6 to be used as a cemetery for Muslims. [However it became full in the 1980's]

In December 1977 Br. Mohamed Sadique Y. Omarjee (South African, now living in Australia) was appointed as Trustee. In November 1978 Br. Mazlam Mohamed Zawawi (Malaysian) was appointed as Secretary.

Other Muslim students from South Africa who were very active included Anver Amod, Iqbal Jeeva, Hamed Nasser, Haroon Khamissa, Bashir Sayed, Jafrullah Khan, Fawzia Manjoo, Ahmed Mohamed (Parker), Adam Kadwa, Yunus Seth, Suliman Tayoob and Ashraf Goor.

The DIS Monthly Newsletters was eventually transformed into the Al-Risalah (The Message) Weekly Newsletters and Quarterly Magazine from 1978 onwards. Dr. Ahmed Patel (South African, also an Irish national who majored in computer science) was the Editor of the DIS's Al-Risalah Newsletter from 1978 to 1980.

Dr. Rashid Motala was also medical student in RCSI during the 70's. He lived in the Islamic Centre although he had his own flat nearby at No. 1 Harrington Street. He was the equivalent of a General Secretary (a position mooted for him by an active member Dr. Nasiruddin but subsequently refused) and did everything because he was on the premises, however he did not hold any official position and he refused to accept them as well.

In his own words he describes his experience as a student:

"We had some memorable Fosis conferences and speakers including Mohamed from Sydney Australia who used to speak on the Atheist platform at Speakers corner, but after his reversion to Islam was invited by them to speak at speakers corner, accepted, stood on the ladder and said "There is no God" to great acclaim by the atheists, paused dramatically and then said "except the One God" and they (atheists) were dumbfounded!"

Speakers that were invited by the DIS include Brother Omar Austin from England, Br. Khurshid Ahmed (Pakistan) from the Islamic Foundation in the UK, and of course Sheikh Ahmed Deedat (May Allah have Mercy on him) who deliveredmany lectures in Dublin. The last time Sheikh Ahmad Deedat came to Ireland was in 1996 when he delivered a lecture in the Islamic Foundation of Ireland (IFI), this visit proved to be quite controversial as Sheik Deedat severely criticised the Muslim Arabs for neglecting their Islamic principles.

DIS also attended the inaugural meeting of Islamic Council in Europe in London during the early 1970s. Hence developing its name at a European level.

By 1977, students from Libya and the Arab Gulf States arrived in large numbers. Eventually the mosque at Harrington Street couldn't accommodate the increasing population and hence the need for a bigger mosque. This time financial aid came mainly from Qatar and Kuwait. This allowed the community to purchase a property in 163 South Circular Road, Dublin 8 that is now the headquarters of the IFI.

In 1985 No.7 Harrington Street was sold to Argus Security Ltd. This could have been potentially used as a headquarters for future student dawaah projects but Qadar-Allah. It shows the need for long-term planning, thinking and Shura on a grand scale

The nice 90's

Dr. Mazhar Bari, a Physics lecturer in Trinity College Dublin attended the University College Dublin from the years 1986-1991. There was a lot of activity among Muslims students between 1987-1991, there were brothers, one of whom was from Sudan and some sisters from Iraq were also involved. Dr. Bari was among the co-founders of the UCD Islamic society in 1991 alongside others including Br Abdullah Sayegh (Lebanon).

During Dr. Bari's time the students organised society elections, sports day and even established the prayer room in the science building. His brother Ashar Bari was involved in UCD ISoc at later stage and he organised a lecture with the Famous Muslim Covert Cat Stevens aka Yusuf Islam.

The Trinity College Dublin Muslim Association of Ireland (TCD MSA) was established in 1997 by Muslim students from Malaysia who though it necessary for a society to represent and to facilitate Muslims students needs & requirements.