It has been announced that the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Adha is to be held at Croke Park in the coming month, with a large outdoor venue chosen given the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is expected around 500 people will be able to attend, keeping in line with social distancing protocols, with the ceremony expected at the end of July or beginning of August.
The exact date will be confirmed on July 21st, with Eid on either July 31st or August 1st depending on moonsighting.
All places of worship, including mosques, had been closed due to the coronavirus since March 12th, although Phase Three of the re-opening of the country has seen that relaxed to a maximum of 100 worshippers.
The Muslim celebration of Eid Al Adha will take place at @CrokePark
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 13, 2020
GAA President John Horan has welcomed the news announced today.
"Normally Croke Park and our other stadia would be a hive of activity at this time of the year with the staging of games but we are living through a very different year.
"We are delighted to welcome members of the Muslim Community to Croke Park to mark Eid Al Adha, an important date in the Muslim calendar.
"I believe the staging of this celebration fully supports our commitment to inclusion and a GAA welcome linked to our belief that it’s ‘Where We All Belong’.
"I wish everyone involved in the occasion an enjoyable visit to Croke Park Stadium as it once again shows its suitability and versatility in welcoming visitors to the venue for a wide variety of different events."
Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri is the Chairperson of the Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council (IMPIC), and he feels the selection of the national stadium as the venue is fantastic in a symbolic sense.
6 May 2020; Dublin GAA supporters Paul Lynch and his son Daniel, from Cabra, cycle past Croke Park stadium following a Covid-19 update by the GAA. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile"Many people living in Ireland who are members of the Muslim faith call Ireland 'Home'. Irish Muslims have contributed significantly in many sectors across our country, especially the health sector.
"The choice of Croke Park as a venue for Eid ul Adha celebration will be symbolic to Irish Muslims in their ‘dual-identity’ as being both Irish and Muslim and the significance that Croke Park and the GAA have in Irish history.
"The GAA is making great strides in embracing all communities nationwide. Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council is profoundly grateful to Croke Park for facilitating “Eid at Croke Park” which is a clear demonstration of the GAA’s unflinching commitment to promote social inclusion and intercultural diversity.
"The historic Muslim celebration of Eid Al Adha at Croke Park this year will be a positive representation of Ireland’s growing diversity of many different faiths and communities.
"Invitations have been extended to other faith leaders and politicians to attend the Eid Al Adha in Croke Park."
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