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BBC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe Belfast Islamic Centre has been attacked while some of its members were praying inside the building.<\/p>\n The incident on University Road in the south of the city sparked a security alert on Friday night. <\/p>\n Kashif Akram from the Belfast Islamic Centre told BBC News NI a window had been broken and device thrown inside, while up to 30 people were upstairs praying.<\/p>\n A 34-year-old man has been arrested and remains in custody.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Mr Akram said the attack has caused alarm among the Muslim community. <\/p>\n “There was a lot of commotion outside, that’s when people realised from upstairs that something was happening outside. Thankfully nobody was hurt.”<\/p>\n He added: “They were very angry, very upset, they were here to do their prayers, minding their own business.”<\/p>\n He praised the fast response of the security workers at the building, and the police.<\/p>\n “Unfortunately, the place was cordoned off last night and we couldn’t continue with our congregational prayers last night or this morning.<\/p>\n “Thankfully, the building is back in operation since six this morning, everything has been cleared and we’ll be fully functional today.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Raied Al-Wazzan, a former treasurer of the Belfast Islamic Centre, said the centre and some neighbouring properties had been evacuated when he arrived.<\/p>\n Having spoken to security at the centre, he said he understood someone had tried to enter the building via the front door but was turned away.<\/p>\n “He was trying to get in and security stopped him. He was carrying a bag on his back and… also carrying a brick.”<\/p>\n Mr Al-Wazzan said the person then walked to the side of the building and smashed a ground-floor window with a brick.<\/p>\n At this point, it is reported that a passer-by interrupted the incident.<\/p>\n “I’ve seen video footage of a passer-by try to stop the perpetrator,” Mr Al-Wazzan said.<\/p>\n “He tried to protect the centre actually and we thank that gentleman and we hope we could find him and thank him in person.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Alliance assembly member Paula Bradshaw said: “This is just the latest example of an attack motivated by hate which does not reflect the diversity of south Belfast in 2025,” she said.<\/p>\n “This attack was again designed to cause fear among people inside the centre, who were at prayer at the time.”<\/p>\n Sinn F\u00e9in’s Deirdre Hargey condemned what she called a “sinister” attack.<\/p>\n “No one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship, and my thoughts are with everyone affected,” she said.<\/p>\n “Acts like these, fuelled by hate, spread fear and division, and target people who have come to our communities to build a life and call this place home.”<\/p>\n Green Party councillor \u00c1ine Groogan said it was “another reminder of the very real danger faced by our Islamic community”.<\/p>\n “The recent rise in racist hate and violence on our streets is a shameful stain on our society,” she added.<\/p>\n “We must all take responsibility for actively challenging racism, misinformation, and bigotry wherever it appears before someone is seriously hurt.”<\/p>\n The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said a number of cordons were in place over night during the alert.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/static.files.bbci.co.uk\/bbcdotcom\/web\/20250616-143050-043f96f72f-web-2.23.1-5\/grey-placeholder.png\")
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n‘Very upset’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n‘Motivated by hate’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n