Muslim Sisters of Éire is an Irish charity that supports homeless people.[1] They hold a stall every Friday on O'Connell Street, the main street of Ireland's capital city Dublin, where they offer food, clothing, sleeping bags and hygiene kits to those in need.[1][2]
History
editThe charity was founded in 2010 by Lorraine O'Connor, a Dublin woman who had converted to Islam,[2][3] and at first worked out of Merchant's House Quay premises. MSOÉ moved to O'Connell Street in 2014, where they were met with some initial hostility.[4] They aim to serve 350 meals a week.[5] They paused the service during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland lockdown.[4] In addition to the O'Connell Street operation, MSOÉ deliver food and hot drinks to people living in tents along the Grand Canal and those in direct provision.[4] The soup run was suspended for the week of the 2023 Dublin riot due to fears of further racist violence.[6]
Aims and positions
editIn addition to supporting those in need of support on the street, another key aim of the organisation is to dispel stereotypes of Muslim women in Ireland as oppressed, but instead to increase the visibility of Muslim women as active members of society.[4]
MSOÉ have criticised government requirements for soup runs to be operated by registered charities and approved by the HSE, as MSOÉ were.[7]
Recognition
editThe charity was named Local Food Hero at the 2024 Irish Restaurant Awards.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b "Handing out food with the Muslim Sisters of Éire charity: 'The women in our community have so much to give'". www.independent.ie. 29 November 2024.
- ^ a b Carroll, Rory (23 January 2024). "Dublin riots: solace and simmering grievances at Muslim-run soup kitchen". The Guardian.
- ^ "Asylum seekers fearful in 'dangerous' Dublin". www.bbc.com.
- ^ a b c d Pollak, Sorcha (27 March 2021). "'We're Muslim and we're just like you': The women taking care of Dubl..." The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 27 March 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ "Dublin soup kitchen volunteers say things are 'as bad as ever'". Irish Independent. 10 January 2024.
- ^ O'Reilly, Alison (24 November 2023). "'It's too dangerous': Muslim Sisters of Eire not opening Dublin street cafe tonight". Irish Examiner.
- ^ "'We're really tired at this stage, people will be left without food' – Dublin homeless charity say soup runs are under threat". Irish Independent. 10 February 2024.
- ^ "Dublin charity named as 'Local Food Hero' at Irish Restaurant Awards". Irish Independent. 23 May 2024.
 | This article about an organisation in Ireland is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |