20.03.2025
Eire Dialogue Hosts Iftar at St Ann’s
Members of Eire Dialogue gathered in Molesworth Hall at St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street to share an Iftar meal last week with parishioners of St Ann’s and St Stephen’s and Archbishop Michael Jackson.
During Ramadan Muslims break their fast following prayer at sunset. Frequently they invite people from outside their tradition to share the meal with them. Following ancient tradition this begins with dates and water and sometimes also lentil soup.
Eire Dialogue is a non–profit organisation with has several years’ experience in organising inter–faith Iftars, throughout Ireland. The aim is to promote social cohesion among the diverse communities living in Ireland.
The previous week Eire Dialogue hosted an Open Iftar in the Mansion House where civic and religious people were able to enjoy the company of Eire Dialogue personnel in the historic surroundings of The Lord Mayor’s Parlour. On that occasion guests were welcomed by the Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Donna Cooney.
Following the Iftar in St Ann’s, Archbishop Jackson said it had been a privilege to be invited to join both Iftar meals. “I appreciate the gracious and generous welcome I received from Mahsun and all in Eire Dialogue at two Iftar meals during Ramadan. I warmly welcome the opportunity they give to members of the wider community to join them as they break their fast. All who are invited have the opportunity to share in the dialogue of conversation set in a dialogue of hospitality,” he commented. “St Ann’s hosted in the Molesworth Hall last year an Open Iftar Meal and continued that tradition in 2025. We were the guests of the Select Vestry and hosted by Eire Dialogue and I am grateful to both for facilitating this opportunity to meet over food.”
Eire Dialogue started its volunteer activities in 2010 and officially established in Dublin in 2021 with the aim of connecting communities, empowering people to engage and contributing to the development of ideas on dialogue and community building. It does this by bringing people together through discussion forums, courses, capacity building publications and outreach.
It operates nationwide and was founded by Irish Muslims of multicultural backgrounds inspired by the teachings and example of Muslim scholar and peace advocate Fethullah Gülen. Eire Dialogue is not a religious or ethnic organisation. It aims to facilitate dialogue on a whole range of social issues, regardless of any particular faith or religion. It stands for democracy, human rights, the non–instrumentalisation of religion in politics, equality and freedom of speech.
