An attempted arson attack on a mosque in Co Down once targeted by loyalists dressed as the Ku Klux Klan has been strongly condemned.
It is one of a series of overnight race-hate incidents being investigated by police.
Cars were also torched and abuse shouted at restaurant staff in separate incidents in Belfast.
The Bangladesh Islamic Centre on Greenwell Street in Newtownards, which was targeted by a gang of men dressed in white robes splashed in blood back in 2018, was attacked at around 1am.
A petrol bomb was thrown but failed to ignite and racist graffiti was daubed on the building.
Chief Inspector Hutchinson said: “This is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime and I want to send a strong message to those who carried this out, that this type of activity will not be tolerated and any reports of hate crime are taken very seriously.”
A picture of at least nine men doing fascist salutes while carrying wooden crosses sparked global outrage almost six years ago when it was broadcast around the world on on CNN, Al Jazeera and many other international news outlets.
The disturbing incident was investigated as a hate crime land inked to loyalist paramilitaries, namely the UDA.
It came a year after a pigs head was left on the doorstep of the Islamic centre and graffiti was daubed on its walls.
Mayor of Ards and North Down Alistair Cathcart condemned the latest attack: “The mosque has been here in Ards for more than 20 years and its members are our neighbours, friends and colleagues. It is a great relief that nobody was hurt during the incident.
“There is no justification for racism, violence and intimidation in our communities and like many others locally and nationally I would call for it to stop.”
Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong said: “There is no place in our community for the hate, xenophobia, racism or islamophobia we have seen on the streets over recent weeks and days and our Muslim community here in Newtownards should be free to worship without fear or intimidation.”
Separately, cars were also set alight in Tavanagh Street and Sandhurst Gardens in Belfast – both incidents are being treated as racially motivated hate crimes.
The rear door of a restaurant on Ormeau Road was also kicked and racial slurs shouted at the workers inside.
It follows several nights of disorder in Belfast.
Sporadic violence has broken out across the city with homes and businesses targeted in racially-motivated attacks.
Public and politicians react to disorder in Belfast
It follows similar scenes in English towns and cities after the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.
Police said five further arrests were made on Friday, bringing the total number of people arrested here to 31.
An anti-racism rally is taking place at Belfast City Hall this afternoon.
On Friday, about 1,000 people gathered in Belfast for a counter-protest against several hundred anti-immigration demonstrators.
Although the protests passed off peacefully, some arrests were made later in the evening.
A 22-year-old man was arrested following yesterday’s protests when he threw a bottle at a police vehicle. He has since been charged with offences including disorderly behaviour and criminal damage. He is due to appear in court on September 6.
A 51-year-old man also arrested following the city centre protest activity has also been charged with disorderly behaviour and will appear in court today.
Police at City Hall on Friday as two demonstrations took place (Photo by Kevin Scott)
Meanwhile two 14-year-old boys were arrested in Londonderry following protest activity in Guildhall Square.
One teen has been charged with possession of petrol bomb in suspicious circumstances, while the other has been charged with possessing articles for use with petrol bombs.
Both suspects appeared before a special sitting of Dungannon Magistrates Court on Saturday.
They were detained after petrol bombs were found by police in the vicinity of Spencer Road.
A 37-year-old man was arrested in Portrush on suspicion of ‘intentionally encouraging riot’ in relation to online activity. He remains in police custody at present.
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: “We continue to investigate all reports made to us in relation to the recent disorder on our streets and we will be making further arrests.
“The outpouring of support from our communities for their Muslim neighbours has been heartening and more accurately reflects the views of most of the citizens of Northern Ireland.
“We will continue to have a significant visible policing operation in place across Northern Ireland over the weekend to ensure our communities are kept safe.”
Meanwhile, a 55-year-old man arrested on suspicion of Publishing Written Material Intended to Stir Up Hatred remains in custody.
A total of 31 people have been arrested and 24 have been charged.