Ireland's leading imam on fatwas, feminism and his son Ibrahim Halawa

Imam Hussein Halawa speaks about sharia law, women’s rights, Islamic extremism and life as head of the biggest mosque in Ireland

Sheikh Hussein HaIawa, Imam of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland and father of imprisoned Ibrahim Halawa Picture: Fergal Phillips

An Islamic fundamentalist or a progressive moderate? A member of the Muslim Brotherhood or just an ordinary preacher? A promoter of integration or a believer in the supremacy of mosque over state?

Sheikh Hussein Halawa is head of the biggest mosque in Ireland, which has long been regarded as the main representative body for the Muslim community in Ireland.

In recent years, the atrocious treatment meted out to Halawa’s son Ibrahim, who was ...