This is nuts. I lived in Belfast in 1991. There was one mosque in all of Northern Ireland (NI): the Belfast Islamic Centre, established in 1978. There are now 10 in NI (5 in Belfast) plus smaller "prayer centers" in places like Newry and Dungannon.
🚨 FEAR HAS ENTERED THE MOSQUES OF BELFAST
Reports from Belfast suggest that some mosques have cancelled prayers and activities following three nights of unrest.
Some Muslim families are reportedly staying indoors, avoiding unnecessary travel and taking extra precautions amid fears that tensions could escalate further.
Workers are said to be changing routines.
Parents are reportedly keeping children closer to home.
Fear is no longer confined to the streets.
It is moving into homes, schools, communities and mosques.
There is currently no evidence of a nationwide response across Britain.
But communities far beyond Northern Ireland are watching events unfold closely.
Because after three consecutive nights of disorder, the question is no longer simply what happened in Belfast.
The question is what happens next.