Belfast Islamic Centre: Man arrested after attack

A man has been arrested after an attack at the Belfast Islamic Centre in the south of the city.

It happened at the building on University Road on Friday night.

Alliance assembly member Paula Bradshaw said the building was evacuated while members of the centre were praying.

A 34-year-old man remains in custody.

“This is just the latest example of an attack motivated by hate which does not reflect the diversity of south Belfast in 2025,” Ms Bradshaw said.

“This attack was again designed to cause fear among people inside the centre, who were at prayer at the time.”

Sinn Féin’s Deirdre Hargey condemned what she called a “sinister” attack.

“No one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship, and my thoughts are with everyone affected,” she said.

“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.”

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said a number of cordons were in place over night during the alert.