A word of thanks

A chara,

It has been my honour to have served as Úachtarán Fhianna Fáil. In my last act as leader, I wanted to send a clear message to you, our members and supporters: Thank you.

Thank you for your loyalty, for your hard work, and for your complete commitment to this movement.

I love this country and this party. In my remaining time as Taoiseach, I will continue to work on government business and to implement the plan for recovery. I pledge my support to my successor as leader of Fianna Fáil in the task that he or she will undertake in the coming weeks and into the future.

I know that you and I, along with all members of Fianna Fáil, will unite to work as hard as we can to support our leader and spread our message in the coming campaign. I know what we are capable of.

This party and its members can rise to any challenge that faces us, when we muster the collective determination to do so. We have done so in the past and we can do so again.

Once again, it has been an honour to lead Fianna Fáil. While times are difficult now, there are better days ahead, both for our party and our great nation.

Thank you once again.

Brian Cowen TD

Leadership vote of confidence

A chara,

Following last night’s vote, I am deeply grateful to my colleagues for their vote of confidence in my continued leadership of Fianna Fáil. Both the Parliamentary Party and I now have a renewed focus and determination to bring our message to the people. We want to fight for this country, and set out our plan for its future.

We are confident that there is a better future for our people if we implement a credible, honest plan. And we look forward to taking that case to the public over the coming weeks and months.

However, we face an opposition which is determined to engage in deeply cynical electioneering, and which offers no solutions to our current difficulties.

Today, I challenged the negative "politics as usual" of the Labour Party and its leader. You can watch a short video of this by clicking here.

I do not know how Labour intends to instil confidence in the country when they keep calling it "an economic corpse", "banjaxed", and "stuck in the mire". Their entire strategy seems to be based on writing off our country.

However, I believe people are starting to see through their rhetoric. Labour's credibility on real policy is beginning to be put to the test.

In the coming weeks and months, we will be looking for your help to spread the word that Ireland is not “banjaxed” and that we have a real, credible plan to secure recovery.

You can help me today by watching this video, and sharing it with your friends: www.fiannafail.ie/LabourNegativity.

Thank you.







Brian Cowen TD
Taoiseach, Úachtarán Fhianna Fáil

Clonskeagh Mosque imam 'grateful ' proposed Koran burning called off

Dublin has said he is “very grateful to Allah” that the proposed burning of the Koran by an American preacher will not now take place.

Imam Hussein Halawa said if the burning had happened, it would have been considered an act of terror by Muslims and would have led to violence.

Terry Jones, the pastor of the Dove World Outreach Centre church in Florida, withdrew plans to burn copies of the Koran on the anniversary of the September 11th attacks.

His threat attracted worldwide condemnation and a phone call from US defence secretary Robert Gates who said the burning would put the lives of American forces in Afghanistan and Iraq at risk.

Pastor Jones had objected to the plan to build a mosque in New York on the site of the September 11th attack.

Speaking through a translator yesterday afternoon, Imam Halawa said he was “very grateful to Allah” that the burning was called off. “Otherwise it would create violence with Muslims everywhere,” he said.

“That’s because the holy Koran is the most sacred masterpiece for Muslims. We do not accept insult to any religion and so we do not accept any insult to our own religion.”

He said such an act, if it had happened, would be considered an act of terror and would lead to a counter-reaction of terror and violence.

“I am sorry such an act was to be done by a holy man or a priest,” he added.

Hundreds of Muslims had gathered at Clonskeagh Mosque yesterday to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, the end of the fasting season of Ramadan. A barbecue and games for children in the grounds of the mosque and community centre followed a morning of prayer. Families and friends greeted each other with a hug and “may Allah accept your fasting and my fasting”.

Over 40 nationalities were represented at the celebrations, each enjoying what was a mild and showery day in the capital. People expressed their relief that Ramadan, which requires them to fast from sunrise to sunset, was complete.

Safi Eddine, from Gorey, Co Wexford, said the observance was particularly tough in Ireland because we have such long days. “I am from Tunisia and the day used to be shorter even in the summer time, but in Ireland it is so long, but it is great that it is finished,” he said.