Cork Ecumenical Secretaries join Cork Muslim Foundation for Iftar Celebration at Blarney Street Mosque and condemn recent attack on Imam Ihab Ahmed

The ecumenical secretaries in Cork (representing the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland the Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church) were horrified to hear of and deplore the recent most dreadful attack on Imam Ihab Ahmed in Cork city this week. As Christians we firmly believe there is no justification for any act of violence carried out for sectarian or any other reason.

We believe that mutual respect is at the core of our faith and indeed these are shared values between our two faiths. We welcome and cherish the openness of Imam Ihab and his welcome to us to share in the Iftar Meal with his Muslim community to celebrate the end of Ramadan each year. We hope and pray that the continuing developing relationship between our two faiths will foster a growing respect, mutual understanding and flourishing as fellow people of faith and citizens of our city of Cork.

As the holy season of Ramadan comes to a close this week we extend our prayerful good wishes and God’s blessing to Ihab and his community over these days.

Fr Christy Fitzgerald
Canon Daniel Nuzum
Rev Geraldine Gracie
Ms Valerie Fletcher
Photograph: L-R
Mr Charles Payne (representing Rev Geraldine Gracie from Cork Methodist Church), Imam Ihab Ahmed (Cork Muslim Foundation), Canon Daniel Nuzum (Church of Ireland), Ms Valerie Fletcher (Cork Presbyterian Church) & Fr Christy Fitzgerald (Roman Catholic Church).

Note:
The Cork Ecumenical Standing Committee has been in existence for a number of years as a support and resource for ecumenical activity, advice and civic engagement on behalf of the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, the Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church in Cork city and county. For further information please contact Fr. Christy Fitzgerald at liturgy@corkandross.org