Man Arrested After Viable Device Thrown Into Belfast Islamic Centre During Prayers

A man was arrested under the Terrorism Act after a viable device was thrown through a window of the Belfast Islamic Centre during evening prayers, prompting a security alert and evacuation of the building. Police and Ammunition Technical Officers confirmed the device was viable and it was removed for forensic examination. The motive remains unclear, but police are investigating multiple possibilities, including hate crime. Political leaders, including Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey and Alliance assembly member Paula Bradshaw, strongly condemned the attack, emphasizing that no one should feel unsafe in their place of worship and condemning the act as fueled by hate. The incident caused distress among the community and disrupted evening prayers, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward. Security cordons remained in place overnight as detectives continue their investigation.