Churches call on Ku Klux Klan men to come forward

CHURCHES have united to condemn the actions of a group of men who posed as Ku Klux Klan members outside an Islamic prayer house in Co Down.

Police are treating the incident in Newtownards at the weekend as a hate crime.

Pictures emerged showing the group in white KKK garb and carrying wooden crosses at Greenwell Street, close to the Bangladesh Islamic Centre.

The Rev Norman McAuley of Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church, which is located next door to the centre, appealed to the men to identify themselves.

“If it was just a Halloween prank then come forward and explain it, hold your hands up and say so,” he said.

“Just admit it was a joke that, in hindsight, was in very poor taste.”

The clergyman, who said the two faith groups enjoy very good relations and often socialise together, has already reached out to the small Muslim community since the disturbing images emerged.

“We regard these members of the Islamic community as our neighbours and our Christian faith teaches us to love our neighbours,” he added.

“We have been in touch to re- affirm our support.” Rev McAuley, who opens his church car park for the 60 or 70 Muslims who attend Friday prayers, said the incident had left him perplexed.

“These men stood with wooden The group of people who dressed as Ku Klux Klan members in Newtownards at the weekend crosses, and from our point of view the cross is a symbol of the unconditional love of God,” he said.

“What we saw at the weekend was sacrilege.”

A statement has been issued on behalf of Ards Churches Together, a group of leaders from various denominations calling on those responsible to come forward to police.

“We also encourage them to talk to their local churches confidentially if they would like to find a way to leave hate and hurt behind,” it read.

It offered offered its full support to those in the Muslim community who feel intimidated after “symbols of hate” appeared outside their place of worship and “hurt a whole community”. “We stand with you,” it added. “Hate has no place in our town.”

The images, which have made headlines globally, have drawn widespread condemnation.

Yesterday this newspaper revealed how one of the men was pictured on the same night in KKK garb embracing Sharon Meller, the girlfriend of National Front leader Tony Martin, in a Newtownards pub.