Southside Muslim school celebrates

THE first State-funded Islamic school in Ireland, the Muslim National School in Clonskeagh, has just celebrated its 25th anniversary.  

Prompted by the growing number of Muslim families at the time, the school was originally established by the Islamic Foundation of Ireland in 1990 and was one of the first of its kind in Europe when it opened.

The school currently has over 280 pupils from a variety of different backgrounds who are taught typical school subjects as well as learning Arabic and teachings from the Quran.

The anniversary was celebrated by pupils, staff and guests at the Hilton Hotel, Charlemont Place, on March 24, where Mohammed Djimani was MC for the evening. 

The event opened with a recitation from the Holy Quran, as is customary at Islamic events. Sheikh Yahya Al Hussein then welcomed the guests and outlined the background to the setting up of the school.

Former principal Colm Mc Glade spoke of the early years of the school and the challenges that he faced in leading the school community. However, he was “up for the challenge” and said he derived great satisfaction from his connection with the community during his time as principal.

The guests were entertained throughout the evening by the school choir and the choir of the North Dublin Muslim National School. The ‘Proclamation of Hope’, which had been composed by the pupils, was read by Amatullah Metarfi. 

Guests enjoyed watching a 1993 recording of ‘The School Around the Corner’, in which a youthful Gerry Ryan coaxed amusing answers from the early pupils of the Muslim National School. Indeed, a few of these pupils were present on the night and had great fun looking back at the show. Another group did a short sketch on the importance of education.

Bernadette Brennan, who retired as principal in January of this year, stressed the importance of encouraging Muslim students to pursue careers as primary teachers. 

She said it was very important to have Irish trained Muslim teachers working at both schools for the future. In relation to this, she thanked Seamie O’ Neill, Head of Education, Froebel College, Maynooth, and Therese Hegarty, Froebel College, for their support to date in organising information seminars. 

Mrs Brennan also stressed the importance of setting up a past-pupils’ association. She believes this would be of great benefit to the school and to the pupils themselves.

She added that her hope is that the Muslim community in Ireland will blossom in the next 25 years and will contribute positively to Irish society in every field possible. 

Daniel O’Connor