Loyalists in Northern Ireland have drawn widespread condemnation for burning a replica mosque atop a bonfire in Moygashel, County Tyrone. Police were unable to remove the cardboard effigy before it was set alight on Thursday night, a day earlier than scheduled, following calls for its removal.
The bonfire also featured signs reading "Secure our borders" and "End the threat of radical Islam." The smoldering remains of the bonfire continued to burn into Friday morning. A man in his 50s has been charged with incitement to hatred and is due to appear in court.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn described the display as a "sickening and cowardly act of intimidation." He stated, "This is not about tradition, and in no way does it represent the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland. We must stand united and completely reject such hatred."
Amnesty International called the effigy a "vile display" and a "blatant attempt to stir up anti-Muslim hatred and intimidate local families." Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International's Northern Ireland director, emphasized that "The placing of an effigy of a mosque on top of a bonfire amounts to incitement to hatred directed at real people who live, work and raise families in Northern Ireland."
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had initiated a police operation to remove the display. Chief Superintendent Norman Haslett said the operation was at an "advanced stage when the bonfire was lit." He added, "Where there is evidence that offenses have been committed, we will take robust action." As part of the ongoing investigation, a 56-year-old man was charged with incitement to hate and is scheduled to appear at Dungannon Magistrates' Court.
The Moygashel bonfire site has been a source of controversy in previous years. Last year, the same group faced backlash for burning an effigy of a migrant boat on the bonfire.
Eleventh night bonfires are a tradition in Northern Ireland, typically lit on the evenings of July 11th and 12th ahead of Orange Order parades. While most pass without incident, some have become contentious due to the placement of flags, effigies, or political posters on the structures.