Anti-racism activists have organised a rally after Nazi flags were erected outside a Mosque in south Belfast.
The flags, bearing the Swastika and a SS insignia, were placed on lamp posts outside the Iqraa Mosque in Dunmurry.
While soon removed by mosque leaders, the flying of the flags provoked outrage in the community and among politicians.
United Against Racism, a Belfast-based organisation, is organising the rally in Dunmurry at 2pm on Saturday.
“Those who erected Nazi flags at Iqraa Mosque in Dunmurry do not speak for the people of this area,” a spokesperson said.
“Attempts to intimidate our Muslim brothers and sisters will not go unchallenged.”
The group is calling on “all progressive sections of society to mobilise against the racists on the far right. We need to stamp out Islamophobia and all forms of racism and hate.”
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Nazi flags placed outside Belfast mosque in act of ‘intimidation'
Amnesty International and migrant groups along with the mosque’s leaders are supporting the rally.
“The fascists behind this recent incident are trying to gain a foothold locally to spread their lies and hate. It is critical that we all mobilise against them,” the group said.
The flags were spotted early on Wednesday after being erected overnight with the police informed and the flags removed.
Mosque chairman and iman Jamal Iweida said members were working outside in recent days “and that might have brought some attention to us”.
He said: “But of course we don’t feel very good about that… a bit intimidated”.
Mr Iweida said there are often children around the mosque, with some seeing the flags before they were taken down.
He added: “The local community is very supportive. Very, very nice.
"People were disgusted here and they showed great support to us and the neighbours actually also in the morning saw it and came out in support.”
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said: “This despicable and racially motivated action is clearly designed to intimidate members of a minority community.
“Fascism has no place in our community. I send full solidarity to the members of Iqraa Mosque and to all affected by this horrendous and racist act.”
SDLP west Belfast councillor Paul Doherty added: “It is truly staggering to see flags of this nature erected in west Belfast.
"This is an area that strongly rejects fascism and I cannot understand why anyone would target a place of worship in this way."
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Our enquiries are at an early stage, however at this time, we are treating this report as a racially motivated hate crime".