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Owais Dil Zuber, Siobhan Foden and Julia O’Shea at the Kerry Islamic Cultural Exhibition on Saturday in the Brandon Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE Kerry Islamic Outreach Society’s ‘Fourth Annual Islamic Cultural Exhibition’ drew more people than in previous years to the Brandon Hotel on Saturday.
The event is held to give visitors a greater understanding of the teachings of Islam, to correct misconceptions about the religion and for a chance to meet and interact with the local Muslim community.
Dr Rizwan Khan, Chairman of the Kerry Islamic Outreach Society, was delighted with how the exhibition went when we spoke to him near the conclusion of the event.
“Today has been excellent. It’s our fourth annual exhibition and there has been a constant flow of people all day. Last year we had 200 guests but that number was surpassed hours ago,” said Dr Khan.
“But we are not concerned about numbers, it’s more satisfaction that people are coming. This year, people are coming to ask questions about Islam, rather than coming for a cup of tea, looking around and then leaving. There’s more interaction,” he said.
Deputy Michael Healy Rae was also in attendance and spoke to those present, with special words of praise for the Muslim community.
Larry Keane, Michael Healy Rae, Shaban Alomary and Azim Anwarul at the Kerry Islamic Cultural Exhibition on Saturday in the Brandon Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
“I believe the people who have come here like yourselves, had your children here and working here in different industries, are really contributing to life in this country. I’m so happy that the children here today are the future and they will be able to get on with their education, to find work and stay here. There are a few core principles you have; One is your religion, which I respect very much. Number two is your work ethic and number three is your family and you work around those three pillars,” he said.
He also expressed his admiration for their discipline of fasting during Ramadan.
“I don’t know how ye do it. If I was to do it I’d say I’d fall down through a crack in the road! I’d have to put on a bit of condition before I could do that,” he said.
Deputy Healy Rae said it was very important that people were educated as to what Islam stands for and what it means to the local Muslim community. He said their work, family and religious ethics were to be admired.
There was also free gift bags, free henna painting, face painting, having your name written in Arabic calligraphy along information on benefits of fasting and many more.
This year there were topics such as ‘women’s rights in Islam’, ‘Islam and extremism in the context of current political affairs’ and the prophet Muhammad and his message. There was also donations accepted for the ADAPT Shelter at the exhibition. Scroll down for photos…
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Gezim Ramja and Alan Sheahan at the Kerry Islamic Cultural Exhibition on Saturday in the Brandon Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
Meryem Sheehy, Leah Crowley and Courtney Sheehy at the Kerry Islamic Cultural Exhibition on Saturday in the Brandon Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Mary McCaffrey and Gerardine Gardezi at the Kerry Islamic Cultural Exhibition on Saturday in the Brandon Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Kerry Islamic Cultural Exhibition on Saturday in the Brandon Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
