A replica of a mosque on top of a bonfire has been condemned as "anti-muslim hatred."
The bonfire in Moygashel in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland is known for its controversial displays.
A mosque and signs that say "Secure our borders" and "End the threat of radical Islam" have been placed on the loyalist bonfire pyre in Co Tyrone.
Last year they placed an effigy of refugees in a boat on top of the bonfire which caused major upset in the community. Many people reported the bonfire to the police, which led them to release a statement ensuring those who felt unsafe that they were there "to help those who are or who feel vulnerable, to keep people safe."
According to the BBC, Police have stated that a 56-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of displaying threatening and insulting material which is intended to stir hatred.
Kashif Akram from Belfast Islamic Centre told the BBC that the display was insulting and distressing for those in his community.
"A mosque is a place of worship, peace and community and to use it in this way is experienced as an act of intimidation and disrespect towards an entire faith community," Akram told the BBC.
He continued to state that although he recognises that people have the right to celebrate culture and traditions, it should not involve "another community or targeting their place of worship or identity".
Following racist attacks in Belfast and Northern Ireland, Akram said that many members of his community are living with "heightened anxiety."
"Incidents like this that you see on top of the bonfire only deepen those fears and make people question whether they are fully and truly accepted and safe in Northern Ireland," Akram told the BBC.
Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International's Northern Ireland director, said that the effigy on the bonfire is a "blatant attempt to stir up anti-Muslim hatred and intimidate local families."
He continued to say that putting an effigy of a mosque on top of a bonfire amounts to "incitement to hatred directed at real people who live, work and raise families in Northern Ireland."
"It must be met with a decisive response by the police. The placing of an effigy of a mosque on top of a bonfire amounts to incitement to hatred directed at real people who live, work and raise families in Northern Ireland. It is a crime under Northern Ireland law to distribute materials that are intended or likely to stir up racial or religious hatred or arouse fear," Corrigan continued.
Corrigan has urged the police to investigate this as a possible crime and to hold those responsible accountable and ensure the material is swiftly removed.
Many bonfires will be lit across Northern Ireland tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday ahead of the Orange Order’s 12 July parades on Monday.
Many years have seen bonfires attract attention due to the placing of flags, effigies and election posters on the bonfires before they are lit.
