Northern Ireland

Pig's head left at door of Co Down Islamic centre

A pig's head was left on the step of an Islamic centre at Greenwell Street in Newtownards. Picture by Alan Lewis, Photopress
A pig's head was left on the step of an Islamic centre at Greenwell Street in Newtownards. Picture by Alan Lewis, Photopress A pig's head was left on the step of an Islamic centre at Greenwell Street in Newtownards. Picture by Alan Lewis, Photopress

A PIG'S head has been left at the door of an Islamic centre in Co Down.

The head was left outside the Islamic community and prayer centre on Greenwell Street in Newtownards at around around 11.15pm on Wednesday.

Graffiti was also painted on the building.

Early yesterday, anti-Muslim graffiti was daubed on a wall on nearby Castle Street.

Police said they are treating all the attacks as hate crimes.

Amnesty International condemned those responsible.

Amnesty's Patrick Corrigan said: "Our solidarity goes to the local Muslim community, who were the targets of this vile attack, apparently fuelled by a hatred of Islam or of Muslims".

"Anyone with information about the attack should contact the PSNI," he said.

"This is a hate crime and must be prosecuted as such by the authorities.

"In recent years this Islamic centre has been targeted by far-right activists."

He added: "When politicians fuel racist thinking, we should not be surprised when some people feel they have been given a license to act on their prejudices.

"Amnesty calls on Northern Ireland's political representatives to do all in their power to stand against hate and to ensure all minority communities feel welcome and able to live free from fear."

DUP councillor Stephen McIlveen described the attacks as "despicable acts of hate directed towards Muslims in Newtownards".

Mr McIlveen tweeted that those targeted were "our friends, colleagues & neighbours for over 30 years in the town".

He said he had met some Muslims who use the centre to offer his support.

"They've been encouraged by the messages they've received so far from the people of Newtownards," he said.

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong said the attacks were "sickening".

"Those who carry out such hate crimes seek to drive a wedge between people here by heightening racial and religious tension," she said.

"We must all stand together to condemn and defeat them."