Police have been requested to take action regarding a replica of a mosque placed atop a bonfire in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The bonfire, located in Moygashel, has been a site of controversial displays in previous years.
Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty International described the effigy as "a blatant attempt to stir up anti-Muslim hatred and intimidate local families." He urged for a "decisive response" from the police, stating 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."
Bonfires are traditionally lit annually in some unionist areas of Northern Ireland during July to mark the approach of July 12, a significant date in the region's parading season. Most bonfires are lit on the evening of July 11, known as the Eleventh night. The Twelfth of July commemorates the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, a historical event where the Protestant King William III defeated the Catholic King James II. Images associated with the bonfire show placards reading "secure our borders" and "end the threat of radical Islam" alongside the mosque replica, and a model boat with figures in orange vests captioned "STOP THE BOATS."