- Authorities are treating the erection of swastika and SS symbol-bearing flags on a street in Dunmurry as a racially-motivated hate crime, causing concern among the local community, including Iqraa Mosque members, who promptly removed the flags.
- Imposing symbols prompted worry and disgust among parents, with Chief Inspector Brannigan labelling the incident as racially-motivated, while political figures like SDLP’s Paul Doherty and People Before Profit’s Gerry Carroll condemned the act, calling it disgraceful and despicable, aiming to intimidate the minority community.
Three flags bearing the swastika and the symbol of the SS were erected conspicuously on a street in Dunmurry. Jamal Iweida, esteemed imam and chairperson of the Iqraa Mosque situated on the same street, brought attention to the flags, as parents accompanying their children to a summer school at the mosque noticed the offensive symbols.
“We perceive that we have been subjected to surveillance by certain individuals or a collective,” he expressed. “Undoubtedly, we are apprehensive about the potential escalation of this situation into further malevolent actions.” Mr. Iweida conveyed his deep repugnance and concern for the well-being of the children within the community.
Chief Inspector Brannigan of the Police Service of Northern Ireland has conveyed that, although the police’s investigation is in its initial stages, they are designating this incident as a “racially-motivated hate crime.”
The mosque’s members promptly removed the offensive flags.
Riaz Dastur escorted his son, Raaid, to the mosque the following morning and took notice of the flags.
Riaz Dastur was amongst the parents escorting their children to the mosque on the following morning, Wednesday 23rd August. Accompanied by his 13-year-old son, Raaid, he shared that at first glance, the flags did not strike him profoundly, as they are no rarity in the area. However, upon recognizing the grave symbolism depicted, his thoughts shifted to the tragic occurrence in New Zealand where Muslims were mercilessly targeted and killed within a mosque in Christchurch a couple of years ago.
SDLP councillor Paul Doherty has vehemently condemned the act of hanging the flags, describing it as “utterly reprehensible.” “In full solidarity with the worshippers of the Iqraa Mosque and School, and commendation to the numerous local residents who swiftly expressed their outrage against this incident,” he articulated in a social media post.
Gerry Carroll, a representative of People Before Profit and a Member of the Legislative Assembly, denounced the act of hanging these flags as “repugnant and driven by racial bias.” He further noted that the intention was evidently to intimidate members of the minority community.
