Police have been urged to intervene after a replica of a mosque was placed on top of a loyalist bonfire pyre in Moygashel, Co Tyrone. The model was visible on the pyre on Thursday, alongside signs reading "Secure our borders" and "End the threat of radical Islam." The bonfire, made of pallets, is scheduled to be set alight on Friday night.
Amnesty International Condemns Display
Amnesty International described the display as a "vile display" and a "blatant attempt to stir up anti-Muslim hatred and intimidate local families." Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International's Northern Ireland director, stated: "This vile display is a blatant attempt to stir up anti-Muslim hatred and intimidate local families. It must be met with a decisive response by the police."
Corrigan added: "The placing of an effigy of a mosque on top of a bonfire amounts to incitement to hatred directed at real people who live, work and raise families in Northern Ireland. It is a crime under Northern Ireland law to distribute materials that are intended or likely to stir up racial or religious hatred or arouse fear. The police must investigate this as a potential crime, identify and hold to account those responsible, and ensure this material is swiftly removed before it can be used to incite further hatred and violence."
Previous Controversy at Same Site
The same bonfire site in Moygashel has attracted controversy in previous years. Last year, there was condemnation after effigies of migrants in a boat were burned on the fire. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has been contacted for comment regarding the latest incident.
Eleventh Night Bonfires
Eleventh night bonfires will be lit across Northern Ireland on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings ahead of the Orange Order's July 12 parades on Monday. While most bonfires pass off without incident, several have become contentious due to the placing of flags, effigies, and election posters on the structures before ignition.
Last month in Moygashel, police removed a banner from a children's playpark, treating it as a hate crime. The PSNI has yet to respond to requests for comment on the latest developments.
