Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Programme Director Patrick Corrigan has hit at those who erected Nazi flags outside a mosque in Dunmurry.
Three flags bearing the swastika were erected earlier in the week near the mosque in Dunmurry, outside Belfast. They have now been removed.
Mr Corrigan said: “This is a shameful attempt to harass and intimidate. But I know the good people of Dunmurry will stand with their neighbours at the mosque and I have been in touch with the local Muslim community to send solidarity and support.
“The erection of these Nazi flags is just the latest in a long line of incidents designed to instill fear in the Muslim community in Northern Ireland. We only have to think of the severed pig’s head and the mob dressed in Ku Klux Klan outfits outside the Islamic centre in Newtownards or the devastating arson attacks on the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association which forced them from their home in south Belfast.
“Racist thugs commit these acts, knowing that they will probably get away with it.
“There are many hundreds of racist crimes inflicted every year, yet police figures show that in 90 percent of cases the perpetrators go unpunished. This is simply unacceptable. The community has a right to expect that these neo-Nazis will be held to account before the law.”
Jamal Iweida, imam and chairperson of Iqraa Mosque, said the flags were noticed by parents bringing their children to a summer school.
“We, of course, are worried about if this will lead to further actions.”
Mr Iweida said he was “disgusted” and worried “about the safety of the children”.
A protest by the group United Against Racism has been organised for Saturday, August 26, at 2pm in Dunmurry Park.
