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Man Arrested After Live-Streamed Quran Burning at Glade of Light Memorial

Manchester man arrested after live-streamed Quran burning. Police cite hate crime probe, community peace rallies follow.

A man was arrested Saturday afternoon (Feb. 1, 2025) following a disturbance at Manchester’s Glade of Light memorial near Victoria Station. The incident – which unfolded during a live social media broadcast – sparked swift police action and community backlash after footage spread online.

Greater Manchester Police took the suspect into custody within hours of the viral video surfacing. Authorities are investigating the event as a potential hate crime, with Chief Inspector Amir Khan telling reporters: “We’re treating this as racially aggravated disorder. Our response teams reached the scene within 20 minutes of the first emergency calls.”

Eyewitness accounts and partial screen recordings show the individual holding what appeared to be pages from religious texts before lighting them near the memorial’s stone circle. A local shopkeeper, who asked to remain anonymous, described seeing “a scuffle break out when someone tried grabbing the papers from his hands.”

The live stream, originally posted to a platform formerly called Twitter, gained over 50,000 views before being taken down. Social media analysts note the broadcast appeared pre-announced through encrypted messaging groups, though police haven’t confirmed this detail.

Manchester City Council leader Pat Karney addressed growing tensions during an impromptu press briefing: “This sacred space honors those we lost to violence. Using it to spread hate insults every community in our city.” His statement referenced the 2017 arena attack that killed 22 people, for which the glass-ringed memorial was built.

Investigators spent Sunday reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing bystanders. A police spokesperson confirmed the suspect remains in custody while digital forensic teams examine his devices. Residents have reported heated discussions at community centers and mosques, with interfaith leaders organizing emergency mediation sessions.

Local student Mariam Ahmed, 19, organized a spontaneous peace gathering that drew hundreds Sunday evening.

We’re here with flowers, not fury,” she told the crowd holding daffodils near the memorial. “Some want to divide us, but Manchester answers with unity.

Authorities urge witnesses to contact the dedicated incident hotline (GMP reference 3713) as the investigation continues. Meanwhile, tech companies face renewed pressure to faster remove inflammatory content, with UK Home Office officials reportedly discussing tighter live-stream regulations.

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