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Muslims have been living in Ireland since the 1950s and over the decades have become a minority religion, many of whom are Irish citizens. Census 2006 indicates that Islam was the third largest (stated) religious affiliation in the Irish state, having increased by almost 70% since the previous Census. Islamic representatives indicate that the number of followers is approximately 45,000, which is higher than the Census figure.
There are followers of both the Sunni and Shi'a Islam in Ireland, each having their own spiritual leaders and places of worship, while both traditions share the same core beliefs.
The Irish Council of Imams brings together the spiritual leaders of both the Sunni and Shia traditions.
Essential Practice Point 1
While Islam was founded in the area now referred to as Middle East, among an ethnic group referred to as Arab, it is inaccurate to associate Islam solely with the Middle East and/or Arab culture. Muslims in Ireland come from a number of ethnic and national backgrounds.
Sunnis are in the majority in Ireland and the largest membership is from Pakistan, Algeria and Libya. The Sunni community have a number of mosques and centres around Ireland (details at end of section).There are over 2,000 Shi'a followers and the majority come from Pakistan, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq. The majority of the Shi'a community live in Dublin where there is a centre, while others live in major urban centres such as Cork and Galway.
(Return to Summary of Essential Practice Points)
There are also Muslims from a number of other areas of the world includingAfrica including Egypt, Nigeria and Somalia; Asia including Bangladesh, India and Malaysia; Eastern Europe including Bosnia and Kosovo; a Kurdish community; other Middle Eastern countries including Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Turkey; and Ireland including children born to Muslims who have settled here as well as Irish people who have converted to Islam.
