The Chair of the Irish Muslim Council has said he was assaulted in a “deliberate hate crime attack” in Dublin.
Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri was hospitalised with a severely swollen face and damaged teeth after the alleged attack in Tallaght yesterday.
In a post on Twitter, Dr Al-Qadri said he believes it was a “planned attack”, adding that it happened after met “two Irish individuals who had arranged a meeting in Tallaght”.
“The next thing I remember is feeling disoriented in my car, surrounded by helpful Irish neighbours of the area I was visiting as the Gardaí and ambulance arrived,” he said.
“I was injured and had lost consciousness, but my mobile phone was still with me, allowing me to contact my friends who arrived within 15 minutes.
“They took me to the hospital where I stayed overnight.”
I have experienced a deliberate hate crime attack in Tallaght a few hours ago. I would like to express my gratitude to the kind Irish lady and two Irish gentlemen who assisted me when I collapsed and safely helped me into my car. I am currently receiving medical care at the…
— Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri (@DrUmarAlQadri) February 15, 2024
I was hospitalised last night and underwent a CT scan. Thankfully, there is no brain injury or broken jaw, but the left side of my face is severely swollen and my front teeth are damaged. It appears that this was a planned attack, as I met two Irish individuals who had arranged a…
— Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri (@DrUmarAlQadri) February 16, 2024
Thank You for everyone for their continuous support and messages. Unfortunately, I’m unable to talk due to the pain in my mouth and face. Eating solid food isn’t possible also. I want to reiterate that the attackers did not want to rob me. It was a preplanned attack intended to…
— Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri (@DrUmarAlQadri) February 16, 2024
He said he is “doing alright considering the circumstances” adding that it “could have been much worse”.
“Thankfully, there is no brain injury or broken jaw, but the left side of my face is severely swollen and my front teeth are damaged,” he said.
The Muslim cleric said it is the first time he had been attacked in his 21 years living in Ireland.
“This incident doesn’t change the fact that I deeply appreciate and cherish Ireland and its people,” he said. “Is breá liom Éire.”
Dr al-Qadri also thanked the “kind Irish lady and two Irish gentlemen” who helped him safely to his car after the attack.
A Garda spokesperson said officers are investigating a “robbery and assault” in Tallaght yesterday evening.
He said one man required medical attention following the incident.
