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Police have been urged to intervene after a replica of a mosque was placed on top of a loyalist bonfire pyre in Co Tyrone.
The model was visible on top of the pyre in Moygashel this morning.
Signs saying "secure our borders" and "end the threat of radical Islam" have also been placed on the fire which is made up of pallets and is due to be set alight tomorrow night.
Amnesty International described it as a "vile display" and a "blatant attempt to stir up anti-Muslim hatred and intimidate local families".
The PSNI said that the display on the Moygashel bonfire was being treated as a hate-motivated criminal offence and that a man arrested earlier remains in police custody.
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Hilary Benn has described it as a "sickening and cowardly act of intimidation".
In a social media post, Mr Benn said: "The placement of a replica mosque on the Moygashel bonfire is a sickening and cowardly act of intimidation.
"This is not about tradition, and in no way does it represent the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland.
"We must stand united and completely reject such hatred."
The DUP said effigies should not be placed on bonfires.
A party spokesperson said: "The DUP supports the right of people to express lawful political opinions, even where those opinions are controversial or unpopular.
"Where the law is broken, it should be enforced. Where views are expressed lawfully, they should not be censored simply because some find them offensive.
"The 11th of July bonfires are a historic and cultural tradition stretching back to the fires lit to welcome the arrival of King William III.
"These should be positive cultural celebrations. We support those within our community that wish to celebrate their culture by continuing with that tradition in a peaceful way.
"The placing of flags, effigies or other items on bonfires is not part of that tradition and should not take place."
Church leaders call for 'compassion to neighbours'
Senior Christian Archbishops have criticised the placement of a replica mosque on a bonfire pyre in Co Tyrone.
They said that targeting the Muslim community through "crude symbols and threats of violence by sinister forces" undermined the Gospel principles of respect and compassion.
Catholic Archbishop Eamon Martin and Church of Ireland Archbishop John McDowell said freedom of religion was a fundamental principle of a democratic society.
Following recent unrest which destroyed property and severely impacted people's lives, they described the placement of a replica mosque on a bonfire as "grossly offensive".
In a joint statement they said: "Christians of all traditions would be aghast at the wanton destruction of Christian imagery.
"Likewise, we should be appalled at the provocative denigration of symbols associated with faiths that are sincerely held by others."
They urged Christians and all people of "good will" to "reflect carefully" on their actions, which they said can ignite violence against innocent people.
"We want to assure our Muslim fellow citizens and those who are living and working here of the goodwill and respect of the majority of people here," they added.
Call for the 'immediate removal of the offensive display'
Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Jon Burrows called for the "immediate removal of the offensive display".
"Bonfires are an important cultural tradition for many within the unionist community, and there will be many peaceful and respectful bonfires across Northern Ireland over the coming days.
"However, that tradition is undermined when bonfires are used to intimidate, provoke or demean others.
"There can be no place for placing any place of worship on a bonfire and setting it alight. It is simply wrong.
"Sadly, images of this bonfire will once again travel around the world, damaging Northern Ireland's reputation and playing into the hands of critics of unionist and loyalist culture."
'Deplorable'
Fermanagh and South Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew described the display on the bonfire as "deplorable".
"The signage and effigy on the Moygashel bonfire is a clear hate crime. This is fuelled by hate and those that seek to bring division to our communities.
"There is no place in our society for racism, and it is the responsibility of all political representatives and community leaders to stand against it.
"The PSNI must investigate this as a matter of urgency to remove this disgraceful display."
'Hateful and deeply offensive'
Alliance Party councillor Eddie Roofe described the bonfire as "hateful and deeply offensive".
"The placing of this model on top of the bonfire is utterly abhorrent.
"Those responsible seek only to instil fear and spread hatred towards a specific group of people who call Northern Ireland their home, and it must be removed immediately," he said.
The same bonfire site has attracted controversy in previous years.
Last year there was condemnation after effigies of migrants in a boat were burned on the Moygashel fire.
Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International's Northern Ireland director, said: "This vile display is a blatant attempt to stir up anti-Muslim hatred and intimidate local families.
"It must be met with a decisive response by the police.
"The placing of an effigy of a mosque on top of a bonfire amounts to incitement to hatred directed at real people who live, work and raise families in Northern Ireland.
"It is a crime under Northern Ireland law to distribute materials that are intended or likely to stir up racial or religious hatred or arouse fear.
"The police must investigate this as a potential crime, identify and hold to account those responsible, and ensure this material is swiftly removed before it can be used to incite further hatred and violence."
The Moygashel Bonfire Association has described the bonfire as an act of "political protest" against "uncontrolled illegal mass immigration".
Eleventh night bonfires will be lit across Northern Ireland tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday evenings ahead of the Orange Order’s 12 July parades on Monday.
While most of the bonfires pass off without incident, several have become the focus of contention due to the placing of flags, effigies and election posters on the structures before they are ignited.
Last month in Moygashel, police removed a banner from a children’s playpark, saying it was being treated as a hate crime.
