A man has been arrested after an attack at the Belfast Islamic Centre in the south of the city. It happened at the building on University Road on Friday night. Alliance assembly member Paula Bradshaw said the building was evacuated while members of the centre were praying. A 34-year-old man remains in custody. "This is just the latest example of an attack motivated by hate which does not reflect the diversity of south Belfast in 2025," Ms Bradshaw said. "This attack was again designed to cause fear among people inside the centre, who were at prayer at the time." Sinn Féin's Deirdre Hargey condemned what she called a "sinister" attack. "No one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship, and my thoughts are with everyone affected," she said. "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." The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said a number of cordons were in place over night during the alert.
Arrest after attack at Belfast Islamic Centre
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"Man Arrested Following Attack at Belfast Islamic Centre"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
A man has been apprehended following an assault at the Belfast Islamic Centre located on University Road, which occurred on a Friday night while members were engaged in prayer. The incident prompted immediate action, resulting in the evacuation of the building to ensure the safety of those present. The arrested individual, a 34-year-old man, is currently in police custody as authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack. Paula Bradshaw, an assembly member from the Alliance party, highlighted that this incident exemplifies a troubling trend of hate-driven attacks that undermine the rich diversity in south Belfast. She emphasized that such acts are intended to instill fear among individuals seeking solace and community within their places of worship.
In response to the attack, Sinn Féin representative Deirdre Hargey condemned it as a "sinister" act, asserting that no individual should feel threatened in their spiritual sanctuary. Hargey expressed her solidarity with those affected and criticized the hate-fueled nature of such violence, which she believes fosters division and fear within communities. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed the presence of multiple cordons in the area during the incident to facilitate their investigation. Both political leaders have called for a united stand against hate crimes, stressing the importance of protecting the rights of all community members to practice their faith safely and without intimidation.
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