Ireland is working towards “more integration, more involvement, and more dialogue” where its Muslim community and other ethnic minorities are concerned, said Minister for Equality, Immigration and Integration David Stanton.

“We’re having discussions with all communities, with various Government and State agencies with respect to formulating an integration strategy. We want this to be a living, breathing process, not just a document. We want something that’s going to work,” he said.

Ireland was also co-operating “with all other countries in respect to any threats or dangers”, he said. Sharing of information “is very important and obviously there are safeguards there for privacy purposes”.

Understanding and tolerance

The Minister was speaking to media in Dublin’s Citywest yesterday at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association of Ireland annual conference. Earlier, in an address to the conference, he emphasised the importance of dialogue. “Given the multicultural nature of Irish society as it stands and the importance of the Muslim community in Irish society, ongoing dialogue between people of different belief systems and faiths can be important in building, enhancing and supporting understanding and tolerance,” he said.

It was also important “in ensuring that where there are concerns, such concerns can be identified at an early juncture and action taken where appropriate to ensure that the community as a whole is protected”.

His intention was to publish a migration strategy in the autumn.

Assistant Garda Commissioner Michael O’Sullivan thanked the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Ireland for helping the force in… read more at irishtimes.com