Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn condemned the act as sickening and cowardly, stressing it does not reflect the majority and urging unity against hatred.

A 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of contravening the Public Order (NI) Order 1987 in connection with the incident and remained in custody.

Amnesty International described the display as vile and inciting anti-Muslim hatred, calling for police to identify those responsible and remove material that could inflame violence.

A disclaimer note accompanies the report, acknowledging offensive imagery and situating the incident within ongoing Northern Ireland community tensions.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland was seeking comment and faces decisions on potential criminal action or swift removal of the displayed materials before the bonfire is lit.

The report is produced in partnership with USA Today and situates the Moygashel event in the lead-up to Northern Ireland’s July 12 parades.

Earlier in Moygashel, police removed a banner from a children’s playpark, treating it as a potential hate crime, illustrating ongoing tensions around such displays.

Political leaders from multiple parties condemned the display as racist and fear-inducing and urged its removal and a police investigation.

The Moygashel Bonfire Association framed the display as a political protest against immigration policy and asserted it is protected expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, while critics say it incites hatred.

Local figures, including SDLP councillor Carl Whyte, condemned the display as absolutely disgusting and criticized singling out an entire religion.

A replica mosque was placed atop a loyalist bonfire pyre in Moygashel, Co Tyrone, bearing banners like “Secure our borders” and “End the threat of radical Islam,” with the fire set to be lit on Friday night.

This Moygashel bonfire, part of Eleven Night displays across Northern Ireland, has a history of controversy including past migrants’ effigies, and this year’s event feeds a broader pattern of provocative displays ahead of the July 12 parades.