NIALL O’CONNOR – 23 AUGUST 2013
A MUSLIM woman who was told to stop praying in a park fears other Muslims in Dublin have suffered similar “hurtful abuse”.
The woman, named Sajida, last night said she wants the security firm involved to make a donation to children’s charities in Egypt and Syria. A security worker has been suspended after he told the woman and a friend to end their prayers “in case they break their backs”.
The man confronted the two women in Griffith Park, Drumcondra, last Saturday week and told them they needed a permit to pray.
Speaking from her Dublin home last night, mother-of-three Sajida said she was still “deeply hurt” by the incident.
“We were praying peacefully. We were not chanting or causing any disturbance to the public. Then he honked his horn and told us we needed a permit to pray,” she said.
“He told us to stop. I felt harassed and intimidated.”
CONDEMN
The employee works for Security firm Manguard Plus which has a contract with Dublin City Council to provide a warden service at the park.
Company boss Bill Brown said he completely understood the women’s anger. “I have lived in the Middle East so I know how important prayers are to people who practise this faith. We completely condemn our worker’s actions,” he said.
He added that Manguard Plus “sincerely regrets” its employee’s “absurd actions”.
Sajida has requested that her full name not be published due to fears that publicity would spark a negative reaction for her family.
Her children are all Irish, speak Irish and attend local schools. Her husband works in Dublin.
The family said that while they feel integrated in Dublin, they are often subjected to racist taunts.
Sajida said she went public with her story so others would not be subjected to what she described as potential “Islamophobia”.
“Deep in my heart, I know what happened to me and my friend was wrong. I feel so strongly about that. This was total harassment,” she said.
“For me, what he said is as silly as telling people that they cannot bless themselves in public. We pray five times per day, that is part of our faith. My faith is personal and I feel it was violated.”
SEE THE MUSLIM TIMES’ DISCLAIMER HERE:
Oh my goodness whats the fuss? Just move quietly and continue praying, end of story. People pull out their prayer mats and pray outside behind fast food restaurants and get out of cars and pray on the side of roads in the UAE. I get out my rosary beads and go and pray where ever while jogging or walking along. Even while my colleagues are praying on their prayer mats I’m praying on my Catholic Rosary beads.
Freedom is making a choice. If someone moves you a long go find another space. Hey there is enough space for everyone in this world. Even for a few bigots. Blink and you will miss them
Mike could you please be on the side of the victim, even if she is a Muslim?
Peace!