Northern Ireland: Catholic and Protestant bishops condemn hateful staging targeting a mosque

Northern Ireland’s leading Catholic and Protestant leaders have strongly condemned a racist and Islamophobic scene staged in Moygashel, County Tyrone. A replica mosque had been installed atop a loyalist pyre, accompanied by signs bearing messages hostile to Islam. A figure waving what looked like an Islamic State flag was also added to the installation.

The pyre was to be set on fire as part of loyalist celebrations on July 12. It was eventually lit before the structure representing the mosque was removed. Northern Irish police have announced that they are treating the case as a hate crime. In a joint statement, the Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin, and Archbishop John McDowell, primate of the Church of Ireland, denounced a “hugely offensive” installation.

The two religious leaders believed that this provocation contributed to fueling tensions and designating the Muslim community as a target. They also recalled that Christians would be deeply shocked by the destruction of symbols linked to their own religion. According to them, the same respect must therefore be given to places of worship and religious symbols of other communities. The archbishops called on Christians and the entire population to weigh the consequences of acts likely to encourage hatred or violence against innocent people. Finally, they sent a message of solidarity to Muslims living in Northern Ireland, assuring them of the respect and goodwill of the majority of the population.