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Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man arrested after viable device thrown through window of Belfast Islamic Centre
A man has been arrested under the Terrorism Act after a viable device was thrown through the window of the Belfast Islamic Centre during a 'sinister' attack on Friday night. Police received a report at approximately 10.10pm that an object had been thrown through a window at the centre in the University Road area of the city while people were praying inside the building. The incident sparked a security alert and the building was evacuated. 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," Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally said in a statement. '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. I urge anyone who was in the area at the time or may have information to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 1808 20/06/25.' A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey has condemned the attack. She said: "I unreservedly condemn this sinister attack, and I welcome that the suspect is now in custody, thanks to the vigilance of a member of the public. '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 also strongly condemned the attack describing it as a "cowardly and vicious act." 'I am horrified to hear about the attack on the Islamic Centre during evening prayers," she said. 'I want to pay tribute to the courageous passer-by who intervened and prevented what could have been a far more tragic outcome. It is terrifying to consider what might have happened, and I sincerely hope that all those present are recovering from this traumatic ordeal.' 'This attack is yet another reminder of the very real danger faced by our Islamic community. The recent rise in racist hate and violence on our streets is a shameful stain on our society. "We must all take responsibility for actively challenging racism, misinformation, and bigotry wherever it appears before someone is seriously hurt. 'I urge those politicians who continue to hide behind the notion of so-called 'legitimate concerns' around migration to reflect on the consequences of their words. Such narratives are as disingenuous as they are dangerous. They help foster a culture in which hate can thrive. Frankly, they should know better.'
The Journal
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Viable device thrown through window in attack on Belfast Islamic centre
A VIABLE DEVICE was thrown through the window of the Belfast Islamic Centre in the University Road area during an attack last night, the PSNI has said. People were present in the centre for worship when the attack is reported to have taken place just after 10 pm. The building was evacuated following a security alert. A 34-year-old man has been arrested by the PSNI under the Terrorism Act, but a motive for the attack has not yet been established. Ammunition Technical Officers attended the scene and examined the object that was thrown through the window, and determined that it was viable. A PSNI spokesperson said that Detectives from the Serious Crime Branch are currently working on exploring a number of motivating factors, 'including the possibility that this is a hate crime'. Advertisement 'At this time, no other persons are being sought in connection with the attack. I urge anyone who was in the area at the time or may have information to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 1808 20/06/25,' Assistant Cheif Constable Anthony McNally said. Claire Hanna, the leader of the SDLP, has condemned the attack on the centre. '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. Hanna said that this did not happen 'in a vacuum' and added that there is 'urgent need for consistent political leadership to challenge hate, intolerance and division wherever it arises'. Former Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt said: 'The attack on the Belfast Islamic Centre was wrong, period. People of that faith are hospital surgeons and consultants, governors of our schools, contributing members of our society – unlike the racists who carry out such attacks.' SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole said that this attack comes just a week after intense rioting in which the homes of immigrants were targeted across County Antrim. 'This cowardly attack is yet another stark reminder of the very real and growing threat of race hate in our society. 'Words alone are not enough. We need a clear plan for integration and support, and crucially, we need to see that plan delivered in action,' he said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
9 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Man arrested under Terrorism Act after viable device thrown inside Belfast Islamic Centre
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. 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. '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. ADVERTISEMENT '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. '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. Ms 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.' 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'.
Al Arabiya
9 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Attack on Belfast Islamic center during evening prayers investigated as hate crime
A 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a terror offense in Northern Ireland for allegedly tossing a suspicious device into the Belfast Islamic Center during evening prayers, police said Saturday. No one was injured in the Friday attack but Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally of the Police Service of Northern Ireland said ammunition officers determined the object was capable of causing harm. He didn't specify what kind of device it was. McNally said detectives were looking into whether it was a hate crime. No one else was believed to be involved in the attack. '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,' McNally said. Police provided no other information about the suspect but said he was in custody. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn called it a 'shameful attack' and local politicians condemned it as cowardly. 'Hatred of this sort has no place in Northern Ireland,' Benn said.
Winnipeg Free Press
10 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Attack on Belfast Islamic center during evening prayers investigated as hate crime
LONDON (AP) — A 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a terror offense in Northern Ireland for allegedly tossing a suspicious device into the Belfast Islamic Center during evening prayers, police said Saturday. No one was injured in the Friday attack but Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally of the Police Service of Northern Ireland said ammunition officers determined the object was capable of causing harm. He didn't specify what kind of device it was. McNally said detectives were looking into whether it was a hate crime. No one else was believed to be involved in the attack. '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,' McNally said. Police provided no other information about the suspect but said he was in custody. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn called it a 'shameful attack' and local politicians condemned it as cowardly. 'Hatred of this sort has no place in Northern Ireland,' Benn said.
