The Irish people have endured a long struggle for the sake of their independence from the British United Kingdom. In the beginning of the war, the Irish Republic was crushed. The British might have thought it was a joke. However, in the course of brutally suppressing Irish independence, they actually caused a massive surge in support for the Irish Republic. 2 years later, the Irish republican party dominated the election, and they consequently began the separation of Ireland from British rule. The struggle of the Irish people is very similar to the problems facing the Muslim world now. Truly, Ireland is the only ally the Muslim world has in Europe. This article will discuss briefly the relationship between Muslims & Ireland as well as the common struggles we both face.
Ever since Irish people wanted independence, Britain probably tried to smear them as ‘terrorists’. However, the meeting of Muslims & Ireland did not begin until during the great famine of Ireland in the 1840s.
American schools teach the details of the Irish ‘potato famine’, but they leave out the associated Muslim involvement in this crisis. Sultan Abdulmecid of the Ottoman Empire donated £1,000 (roughly $200,000 today) to help the Irish feed their families. Ottoman documents actually indicate that the Sultan wanted to send £10,000, but British diplomats or his own advisors suggested that he only donate £1,000 in order to avoid embarrassing Queen Victoria who had only sent £1,000. The Irish received the Ottomans’ help well, and kept the event in their records. The Ottoman sultan also sent several ships full of food, although it is disputed whether these ships arrived for some reason.
Since then, the Irish people have shown distrust toward Britain & gratuity toward the Muslim world. In 1917, Britain issued the ‘Balfour Declaration’ supporting the establishment of a ‘national home’ for the Jewish people in Palestine. The Irish did not buy it. In 1948, after Israel killed/expelled roughly 750,000 Palestinians, Ireland refused to recognize their ‘independent state’. Only 15 years later did the Irish gov’t buckle under some form of pressure & recognize the terror-state of ‘Israel’.
However, the Irish people are firm supporters of human rights, and they have never forgotten about Palestine. Ireland remembers well the suffering they endured under occupation, and their conscience will not allow them to support the oppression of another people.
Some western countries might think themselves modern & sophisticated compared to old traditional Ireland. Other might think that Ireland is full of ‘terrorists’. However, where has this ‘modern & sophisticated’ attitude gotten western society? Rather than sacrificing all morals & values to please their own selfish greed, western leaders should admit that Ireland is the most stable & progressive state in Europe, thanks to the legitimacy that they have managed to preserve.
Please share any information or content you might have about Irish support for the Muslim world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_War_of_Independence https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland%E2%80%93Turkey_relations#History https://www.britannica.com/event/Balfour-Declaration
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