Man arrested under Terrorism Act after viable device thrown inside Belfast Islamic Centre
Police probe potential hate motive as incident is widely condemned
Police said a viable device was thrown inside the building. A window was smashed during the incident. One man has been arrested under the Terrorism Act.
Kashif Akram said the attack, which happened shortly after 10pm last night, had caused much distress.
He told the Belfast Telegraph the centre, on University Road, had to be evacuated, disrupting evening prayers.
Political representatives branded it a sinister attack and said it must be strongly condemned.
A broken window after an attack at the Belfast Islamic Centre. Photo: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press
Police said one man remained in custody this afternoon.
Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally said: 'Police received a report at approximately 10.10pm on Friday that an object had been thrown through a window at a property in the University Road area of the city.
'Officers attended and carried out a search of the building where a suspicious device was discovered.
'Ammunition Technical Officers attended and examined the object which was determined as viable and has since been removed for forensic examination.
'A 34-year-old man was arrested under the Terrorism Act at the scene and remains in police custody at this time. It is important to stress that, while the suspect has been arrested under the Terrorism Act, the motive for the attack has not yet been established.
Police at the scene last night (left) and the Islamic Centre this morning (right)
News in 90 Seconds - June 21st
'Detectives from Serious Crime Branch are currently working at pace and are exploring a number of potential motivating factors including the possibility that this is a hate crime.
'At this time, no other persons are being sought in connection with the attack.'
A video from the first floor of the centre, seen by this newspaper, shows a man reaching into the building. .
"I saw the flames in his hand from above but couldn't capture it in the video," they said.
A pedestrian walking by stopped the suspect from doing any damage.
A clip of the incident shows the young man grabbing the suspect and pulling him away.
The suspect can be heard telling the pedestrian that he was "trying to save the world" as he was being dragged away.
"He was the first to stop him," the witness continued. "Only then did we reach there."
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph today, Mr Akram said he strongly condemned the 'vile attack'.
'During evening prayers last night, one of the windows was broken and a device was thrown inside the building,' he said.
Police at the scene of the security alert outside Belfast Islamic Centre (Photo by Kevin Scott)
'Everyone was evacuated from the building and the police were quick to respond.
'We were unable to continue night prayers as the whole area was cordoned off and nobody was allowed near the building.
'A bomb squad eventually removed the device in the early hours of this morning.
'We have had incidents in the past but nothing of this kind.'
He said that while members were very angry and upset, the centre has been able to reopen today.
South Belfast MP Claire Hanna said she was 'appalled' at the attack.
'I am hugely relieved that no one was seriously injured, but this was a frightening and disturbing experience for the centre's users and for all of us who value a peaceful and shared society,' she said. Read more
Hanna added: 'Belfast is an open and welcoming city. No one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship.'
SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole said it was a 'cowardly attack' and 'yet another stark reminder of the very real and growing threat of race hate in our society'.
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw said: 'This attack was again designed to cause fear among people inside the centre, who were at prayer at the time.
'Nevertheless, I am thankful for the intervention of a nearby passer-by and for the work of the police. Those were much more reflective of the true spirit of Belfast, where most people rejoice in diversity.'
The Belfast Islamic Centre in the south of the city. Photo: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey said the 'sinister' incident must be strongly condemned.
She added: 'No one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship, and my thoughts are with everyone affected.
'Acts like these, fuelled by hate, spread fear and division, and target people who have come to our communities to build a life and call this place home.
'It's vital that all political leaders speak out and stand united against this disgusting behaviour.'
Green Party councillor Áine Groogan said she was 'horrified', describing it as a "cowardly and vicious act'.
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