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Pastor James McConnell's Islamic remarks investigated by police Pastor James McConnell's Islamic remarks investigated by police
(about 4 hours later)
A Muslim representative has said he will make a complaint to police about remarks made by a Belfast pastor. Police in Northern Ireland are investigating whether a hate crime was committed by a Belfast pastor who made remarks about Muslims.
James McConnell described Islam as "heathen" and "satanic", during an address at the Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle Church, Shore Road, on Sunday. James McConnell described Islam as "heathen" and "satanic", during an address at the Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle Church on Sunday.
Raied Al-Wazzan, from the Belfast Islamic Centre, said Mr McConnell's remarks were irresponsible. He told his congregation "a new evil had arisen" and "there are cells of Muslims right throughout Britain".
The police said they are investigating a possible hate crime. Raied Al-Wazzan, of the Belfast Islamic Centre, said this was irresponsible.
Pastor McConnell told his congregation "a new evil had arisen" and "there are cells of Muslims right throughout Britain". Condemned
Speaking on the Stephen Nolan Show, Dr Al-Wazzan said he 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 said. "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 term." "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'
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.
"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.
"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.
"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."