Police in Northern Ireland are investigating the placement of a replica mosque on top of a loyalist bonfire as a hate crime, sparking widespread condemnation from political and religious leaders. The controversial display, situated in the town of Moygashel in County Tyrone, has drawn intense scrutiny ahead of the annual “Eleventh Night” commemorations.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed on Thursday that they are treating the incident as a “hate-motivated criminal offense.” In connection with the investigation, officers arrested a 56-year-old man on Thursday, who remains in custody as authorities continue to assess the situation. The replica mosque, which sat atop the pyre, was accompanied by the Arabic phrase for “Islamic fascism.” Additionally, signs reading “Secure our borders” and “End the threat of radical Islam” were affixed to the structure, which is scheduled to be set ablaze on Friday night.
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These bonfires are a traditional part of the “Eleventh Night” on July 11, leading into “The Twelfth” celebrations on July 12. For Northern Ireland’s loyalist and Protestant community, which strongly supports remaining part of the United Kingdom, the fires commemorate the Glorious Revolution of 1688. This historical event saw the Protestant King William III of Orange depose the Catholic King James II of England, followed by the Protestant victory at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
While most Eleventh Night bonfires occur without incident, they have frequently been flashpoints for sectarian tension. In the past, pyres have often featured Irish flags or Catholic and Irish Republican effigies. However, recent years have seen a rise in anti-immigration symbols. Last year in Moygashel, organizers burned effigies of migrants in a boat alongside a sign reading “Stop the boats.” This year’s controversy also follows recent violent anti-immigration riots that erupted primarily in pro-British areas of Northern Ireland after a knife attack carried out by a Sudanese asylum-seeker.
Defending the display, the Moygashel Bonfire Association argued that the replica mosque was a form of “political protest” against “uncontrolled illegal mass immigration.” In a statement, the organizers asserted that the demonstration was a critique of “ideology and government policy” rather than people, claiming it “expressly does NOT target any individual.” They added that the protest would have been unnecessary if uncontrolled illegal immigration did not exist.
This defense has been firmly rejected by officials and human rights groups. Hilary Benn, the UK’s Northern Ireland Secretary, condemned the display as a “sickening and cowardly act of intimidation,” emphasizing that it does not represent the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland. Amnesty International also denounced the pyre as a “vile display” and a “blatant attempt to stir up anti-Muslim hatred and intimidate local families.”
In a joint statement, Protestant Archbishop John McDowell and Catholic Archbishop Eamon Martin labeled the incident “grossly offensive.” They urged Christians and the wider public to reflect on actions that could incite violence against innocent people, while reassuring the Muslim community of the respect and goodwill of the majority of local residents.
Meanwhile, unionist politicians have sought to separate the tradition from the offensive display. A spokesperson for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) stated that while they support peaceful cultural celebrations, the placing of flags, effigies, or other items on bonfires is not part of the tradition and should not happen. Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Jon Burrows called for the immediate removal of the display. “Sadly,” he said, “images of this bonfire will once again travel around the world, damaging Northern Ireland’s reputation and playing into the hands of critics of unionist and loyalist culture.”
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The three-word phrase refers to the illegal English Channel crossings by asylum-seekers and has become a rallying cry for anti-immigrant sentiment in the UK.
"We urge Christians, and all people of good will, to reflect carefully on their actions which can ignite violence against innocent people, all of whom are made in God's image and are therefore worthy of respect and compassion," they said.
