Police in Northern Ireland are investigating reports that a group of people dressed as Ku Klux Klan members posed outside a Belfast mosque.
Photographs of the group outside the Belfast Islamic Centre in Newtownards emerged over the weekend.
The incident was reported to the police on Sunday afternoon at around 5pm. Reports say the group was seen wearing the distinctive pointed-hooded costumes in the vicinity of Greenwell Street on Saturday night.
Inspector Richard Murray said: “We are also aware of images that are circulating that show people dressed as Ku Klux Klan members. Our enquiries are ongoing, and we are treating this as a hate incident at this time.
“Hate crime, in all its forms, is totally unacceptable. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to ensure that we live in a society where diversity is respected.”
The Ku Klux Klan is a racist group established by white supremacists in the United States.
In August 2017 a pig’s head was left at the Islamic Centre’s door and graffiti painted on the building.
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Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting the reference 1066 with the date 28/10/2018.
The public can also contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
