“There is a need to create strong community ties and for all to feel they belong to the Fermanagh community regardless of religion.”

That is one view which will be fed back to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC), which has commissioned a consultant to conduct a mapping exercise of minority faiths in the area.

Fatima Musa, a Muslim who has recently moved to live in County Fermanagh, addressed a meeting of Women of the World on Friday evening.

The event was held as part of FODC’s Community Relations and Cultural Awareness Week. Guests listened as the Council’s consultant explained that she is currently identifying any specific needs of people from minority faiths in the council area and invited comments from the floor.

Mrs. Musa said: “Post 911, Muslims have become a focus in the public eye. Unfortunately, all who follow the Islamic faith have been painted with the same brush. It has thus become necessary for Muslims to engage in more open interfaith dialogue and to simply let it be known that the actions of a few do not speak for the many. I was very active in this work in England and having moved to Northern Ireland, it must continue.”

She explained that being “part of an interfaith family” has “strengthened” her connections to the Fermanagh community and stated: “The ever-changing landscape of families and life means that there is a need to create strong community ties and for all to feel they belong to the Fermanagh community regardless of religion."

A man from the Bahá’í religion outlined his belief that “the earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.”

Women of the World (WoW) has experienced “a new lease of life” in the past 12 months, according to Rosa McCrystal-Kelly, who took over the role of Chair a year ago. 

“We now have over 20 members and I am very happy to see more people here this evening, including ladies from South Africa, Poland, France and the Philippines,” said Mrs. McCrystal-Kelly, who added: “We hold monthly friendship meetings and events such as a dinner dance on October 18 in the Silver Birch Hotel.”

Mrs. McCrystal-Kelly is founder of the Omagh Ethnic Community Support Group and the Goodwill Gifts Support Group to provide support to the ageing Black and Minority Ethnic groups in the district.