An arson attack on a church in east Belfast is being investigated as a racially motivated hate crime by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
A flammable substance was set alight and thrown into the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) building by two masked men on Tuesday night. An angle grinder was also used to damage the property.
The church has been operating in the community since 2012, and is one of 40 UCKG churches in the UK. UCKG was founded in Brazil in 1977.
Rev Mervyn Gibson of the nearby Westbourne Presbyterian Church condemned the incident, saying "the people of east Belfast do not want to see racist attacks against their neighbours".
Sinn Féin MLA Deidre Hargey said that those responsible ought to face the full force of the law.
"This attack on a church premises is the latest in a series of disgusting, violent racist acts which are not reflective of the majority in our society".
Police said the shutters and front hall of the building were damaged, whilst other parts of the interior were affected by the smoke.
A spokesperson also said, "both males [involved] are believed to have run off after the incident". Officers have appealed to those in the area for information to help with the investigation. No one is believed to have been harmed.
