IRISH PROTESTORS PROTEST ISLAMIC PARADE

Written by Michael Thervil

2025 annual Muharram procession in Dublin. Photo by Sam Boal/Collins 

[Irish protestors protest Islamic parade] This past Friday in Ireland marked the day of the annual Mourning of Muharram which is a day that practitioners of the Shia Muslim faith not only honor the death of Husayn ibn Ali who is the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad but is also part of the first month of the Islamic calendar year. The mourning of Muharram is an Islamic ritual rite that takes place all over the world.  But in Ireland, this year’s annual Muharram procession started at Christchurch in Dublin Ireland city center and ended at the General Post Office (GPO). Although there were only roughly 100 attendees at this year’s Muharram procession, this year’s Muharram procession turned into more of a protest than a religious ordeal.

The attendees of this year’s Muharram procession brought in a mixture of people who held a pro-Gaza/Palestine stance while other attendees felt it was their civic duty to take a pro-Irish stance. Both Palestinian and Irish flags were flown high by their respective sides. For those that stood behind the Palestinian flag, it was their way of showing both support and solidarity with the people of Gaza as they endure Israel’s war of genocide towards them.

For the pro-Irish protestors, standing behind their flag was their way of displaying their national pride as well as sending the message that many people felt as if Irish traditions are being trampled upon and that the Mourning of Muharram procession is nothing more than a inflammatory provocation that makes Irishmen across the country feel as if they are losing their cultural identity and sovereignty.

Although no acts of violence were reported, there were reports of traffic flow disruption and the onset of traffic delays throughout the duration of the annual mourning then turned into protest. It was reported that the traffic and commute delays subsided around 6pm.