Chairperson of the Irish Muslim Council Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri has given an update on his condition following an alleged assault in Dublin and thanked those for "their incredibly kind messages of support" following the incident.
Writing in a social media post on X, Dr Al-Qadri said: "Your encouragement and well wishes have touched my heart during this difficult time."
Dr Al-Qadri said he was attacked after he met two people at a prearranged meeting in Tallaght last Thursday night.
He also said he has expressed his "intention to communicate with and forgive those responsible".
"My belief in the power of forgiveness and reconciliation is guiding me in this decision," he said.
I have recently started reading the comments on my tweets and would like to express my gratitude to the majority for their incredibly kind messages of support following the recent attack. Your encouragement and well wishes have touched my heart during this difficult time. ❤️🩹… pic.twitter.com/wE0Yvv6f0l
— Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri (@DrUmarAlQadri) February 18, 2024
However, Dr Al-Qadri said: "There are also conspiracy theorists spreading false information about the attack.
"It is disheartening to be a victim of such a crime and then face accusations that it didn't happen. I urge others to be cautious of misleading narratives and trust that the authorities will pursue justice."
"When I am ready, I will communicate with the media. For now, I appreciate your understanding as I focus on my recovery. I also hope for a swift conclusion to the investigation by the Gardaí," he added.
Earlier, the senior Muslim cleric said: "I am grateful to report that I am feeling much better, although eating remains a challenge".
He added that has since found his Secrid wallet which contains pictures of his late parents.
"On a positive note, I have found my Secrid wallet, which I had believed to be lost during the attack. Although my bank cards have been cancelled, the most precious items in my wallet - photos of my late beloved parents - were thankfully not lost.
"I had informed the gardaí that my wallet was missing, leading to the incident being classified as a robbery and assault. If any items are missing, they are treated as evidence of robbery.
"This will now be treated as a serious assault case rather than a robbery and assault," Dr Al-Qadri said.
Gardaí have confirmed that they are investigating a robbery and assault, which occurred in Tallaght on Thursday and that one man required medical attention following the incident.
