Replica Mosque Burns on Northern Ireland Bonfire

A replica mosque placed atop a massive bonfire in the pro-British town of Moygashel, near Belfast, burned Thursday evening after the bonfire was lit before police could intervene. Officers had planned to remove the structure, made of wooden pallets, and classified the display as a hate crime.

The incident occurred on the eve of 12 July, when Protestant loyalists traditionally light bonfires to commemorate the victory of William III of Orange. Senior politicians in Northern Ireland and the UK strongly condemned the display.

The mock mosque also featured the likeness of a man holding a knife and banners reading "Secure Our Borders" and "End the Threat of Radical Islam". Last year, a model of migrants in a boat was burned at the same site. These anti-immigration displays have increasingly replaced the anti-Catholic slogans once common at such bonfires and have intensified following last month's unrest. The violence in Belfast was triggered by a viral video that allegedly showed a foreign national attacking another person with a knife.

UK Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn described the display as a "despicable" and "cowardly" act of intimidation. Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Norman Haslett said racial hatred would not be tolerated, but the organizers' decision to light the bonfire early prevented officers from gathering evidence before the structure was destroyed.

Police have arrested a 56-year-old man on suspicion of offenses related to inciting hatred. He is due to appear in court.

(Reuters, Max)