Man arrested amid calls for removal of mosque effigy on bonfire

"A confident society builds bridges, not bonfires of division."

The mosque model was visible on top of the pyre in Moygashel on Thursday.

Other signs saying “Secure our borders” and “End the threat of radical Islam” have been placed around the fire which is made up of pallets and is due to be set alight on Friday night as part of the July 12th celebrations in the north.

Dr Umar Al-Qadri, the Chair of the Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council told JOE that there is no excuse for hatred.

Dr Umar Al-Qadri / Image via Rolling News

"People have every right to celebrate their culture and traditions peacefully,' he said.

"However, when cultural celebrations become an excuse to display hatred through burning flags, pictures of politicians, or now placing a replica of a mosque on a bonfire, it ceases to be about culture and becomes about intimidation.

Such individuals are driven by prejudice will always look for a scapegoat. Today it may be Muslims; yesterday it was someone else; tomorrow it will be another vulnerable community.

We should reject this cycle of hatred while respecting everyone’s right to celebrate their identity in a way that upholds the dignity and safety of others."

Ammesty International described it as a “vile display” and a “blatant attempt to stir up anti-Muslim hatred and intimidate local families”.

Likewise, Shane OCurry the Director, Irish Network Against Racism (INAR) said:

"The violent events over the last number of years have highlighted the persistence of loyalist paramilitary networks and infrastructure, their usefulness to white supremacist and extreme right wing political interests, and the deep connection between sectarian hatred and racial hatred.

"At the same time it appears that PSNI is more interested in fulfilling UK migration policing functions, than in addressing the terrorist and hate-organising networks behind this explosion in hatred. This ought to be a wake up call, just as so many other terrifying events ought to have been wake-up calls. It's time to dismantle the infrastructure of hate once and for all."

The site has attracted controversy in previous years, in 2025 there was widespread condemnation after effigies of migrants in a boat were burned.