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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Pastor James McConnell's Islamic remarks investigated by police | Pastor James McConnell's Islamic remarks investigated by police |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Police in Northern Ireland have said they are investigating "a hate crime motive" after complaints about remarks about Islam by a Belfast pastor. | |
| James McConnell described Islam as "heathen" and "satanic", during an address at the Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle Church on Sunday. | James McConnell described Islam as "heathen" and "satanic", during an address at the Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle Church on Sunday. |
| He told his congregation "a new evil had arisen" and "there are cells of Muslims right throughout Britain". | He told his congregation "a new evil had arisen" and "there are cells of Muslims right throughout Britain". |
| Raied Al-Wazzan, of the Belfast Islamic Centre, said this was irresponsible. | Raied Al-Wazzan, of the Belfast Islamic Centre, said this was irresponsible. |
| Condemned | Condemned |
| Dr Al-Wazzan said he was contacting the police and would hold Pastor McConnell "responsible for any racial attacks on any Muslim in Northern Ireland". | Dr Al-Wazzan said he was contacting the police and would hold Pastor McConnell "responsible for any racial attacks on any Muslim in Northern Ireland". |
| "This is inflammatory language and it definitely is not acceptable," he told the BBC's Nolan Show. | "This is inflammatory language and it definitely is not acceptable," he told the BBC's Nolan Show. |
| "This kind of language is actually increasing the ethnic religious hate crimes." | "This kind of language is actually increasing the ethnic religious hate crimes." |
| Dr Al-Wazzan said the Muslim community enjoyed a "good relationship with every faith". | Dr Al-Wazzan said the Muslim community enjoyed a "good relationship with every faith". |
| "We never had a problem before," he added. | "We never had a problem before," he added. |
| "This is the first time we hear of such language in Northern Ireland and this is definitely irresponsible and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms." | "This is the first time we hear of such language in Northern Ireland and this is definitely irresponsible and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms." |
| 'IRA cells' | 'IRA cells' |
| Mr McConnell had told his congregation: "Islam is heathen, Islam is satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell." | Mr McConnell had told his congregation: "Islam is heathen, Islam is satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell." |
| He said he agreed with the late MP Enoch Powell, whose 1968 "Rivers of Blood" speech criticised immigration. | He said he agreed with the late MP Enoch Powell, whose 1968 "Rivers of Blood" speech criticised immigration. |
| "Enoch Powell was a prophet, he called it that blood would flow on the streets and it has happened," he said. | "Enoch Powell was a prophet, he called it that blood would flow on the streets and it has happened," he said. |
| The evangelical Protestant preacher also compared Muslims to the IRA. | The evangelical Protestant preacher also compared Muslims to the IRA. |
| "Fifteen years ago Britain was concerned of IRA cells right throughout the nation," he said. | "Fifteen years ago Britain was concerned of IRA cells right throughout the nation," he said. |
| "They done a deal with the IRA because they were frightened of being bombed. | "They done a deal with the IRA because they were frightened of being bombed. |
| "Today a new evil has arisen. There are cells of Muslims right throughout Britain, can I hear an Amen, right throughout Britain, and this nation is going to enter into a great tribulation, a great trial." | "Today a new evil has arisen. There are cells of Muslims right throughout Britain, can I hear an Amen, right throughout Britain, and this nation is going to enter into a great tribulation, a great trial." |