In July 2026, a loyalist bonfire in Moygashel, Northern Ireland, featured a replica of a mosque topped with an effigy and anti-immigration banners. The pyre was set on fire a day early as police were preparing to dismantle it. The incident is being investigated by the Police Service of Northern Ireland as a hate-motivated crime.
Incident (BBC): On the night of July 9, 2026, a model of a mosque was placed on top of a 20-meter high wooden pallet pyre. The display included an effigy of a man holding a knife and an ISIS flag, alongside banners reading "Secure our borders" and "End the threat of radical Islam".
The Catholic Bishops of Ireland subsequently issues a statement condemning the act as disrespectful.
FULL TEXT Statement of Archbishops of Armagh on placement of a replica mosque atop bonfire
Archbishop Eamon Martin, Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and Archbishop John McDowell, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland
FULL TEXT Statement of Archbishops of Armagh on placement of a replica mosque atop bonfire
Archbishop Eamon Martin, Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and Archbishop John McDowell, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland
The placement of a replica mosque atop a bonfire is grossly offensive and raises tensions so soon after the unrest that destroyed property and severely impacted the lives of individuals and families.
We should be appalled at the provocative denigration of symbols associated with faiths that are sincerely held by others.
Statement by Archbishops Martin and McDowell
“But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus ‘Who is my neighbour’? And Jesus answered ‘There was a man going down from Jericho to Jerusalem…’” (Luke 10:25-37)
Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan to teach his disciples that they have a duty to those who differ from them in terms of religious belief and cultural tradition. Jesus teaches that people who differ from us are not simply to be tolerated; they are to be respected, cared for and loved.
The targeting of the Muslim community through crude symbols and threats of violence by sinister forces undermines these Gospel principles of respect and compassion as well as freedom of religion which is a fundamental principle of a democratic society.
The placement of a replica mosque atop a bonfire is grossly offensive and raises tensions so soon after the unrest that destroyed property and severely impacted the lives of individuals and families. Christians of all traditions would be aghast at the wanton destruction of Christian imagery. Likewise, we should be appalled at the provocative denigration of symbols associated with faiths that are sincerely held by others.
We urge Christians, and all people of good will, to reflect carefully on their actions which can ignite violence against innocent people, all of whom are made in God’s image and are therefore worthy of respect and compassion. We want to assure our Muslim fellow citizens and those who are living and working here of the goodwill and respect of the majority of people here.
We should be appalled at the provocative denigration of symbols associated with faiths that are sincerely held by others.
Statement by Archbishops Martin and McDowell
“But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus ‘Who is my neighbour’? And Jesus answered ‘There was a man going down from Jericho to Jerusalem…’” (Luke 10:25-37)
Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan to teach his disciples that they have a duty to those who differ from them in terms of religious belief and cultural tradition. Jesus teaches that people who differ from us are not simply to be tolerated; they are to be respected, cared for and loved.
The targeting of the Muslim community through crude symbols and threats of violence by sinister forces undermines these Gospel principles of respect and compassion as well as freedom of religion which is a fundamental principle of a democratic society.
The placement of a replica mosque atop a bonfire is grossly offensive and raises tensions so soon after the unrest that destroyed property and severely impacted the lives of individuals and families. Christians of all traditions would be aghast at the wanton destruction of Christian imagery. Likewise, we should be appalled at the provocative denigration of symbols associated with faiths that are sincerely held by others.
We urge Christians, and all people of good will, to reflect carefully on their actions which can ignite violence against innocent people, all of whom are made in God’s image and are therefore worthy of respect and compassion. We want to assure our Muslim fellow citizens and those who are living and working here of the goodwill and respect of the majority of people here.
Archbishop Eamon Martin is Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and Archbishop John McDowell is Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland
https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2026/07/09/statement-of-archbishops-of-armagh-on-placement-of-a-replica-mosque-atop-bonfire/
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