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The Muslim Council of Britain is deeply shocked and enraged by the scenes that have unfolded across Northern Ireland over recent days where people’s homes, properties and families have faced attacks by violent mobs.
Minority and migrant communities will recognise these events for what they are: organised intimidation, racial violence and attacks on vulnerable families that bear all the hallmarks of a pogrom (organised violence targeting particular groups and communities). Homes have been targeted and set on fire, families terrorised and people driven from their communities because of who they are. This is must enrage us all and these communities must be protected.
We stand with Stephen Ogilvie’s family who was brutally attacked in Belfast on Monday night, whose family have shown remarkable dignity in calling for calm and rejecting those seeking to exploit tragedy for division. Their courage stands in stark contrast to politicians and commentators who have spent years normalising anti-migrant rhetoric, whipping up suspicion and resentment, only to express shock when hatred spills onto the streets.
An uncomfortable question hangs over this moment. If British Muslims, Black communities or British Asians had been setting fire to white families’ homes while children ran for their lives, would the national conversation be about their “legitimate concerns”? Would we be debating the social conditions that radicalised them? Or would the full force of political condemnation, media scrutiny and state power already have been deployed?
The questions that should be dominating headlines are not being asked.
Where is the COBRA meeting?
Where is the Prime Minister?
Where is the national outcry?
Too much of the media has once again chosen to focus on the symptoms rather than the conditions that allowed this hatred to flourish.
The uncomfortable truth is that many migrant and minority communities look at Belfast and see a warning. If families can be targeted, terrorised and driven from their homes while the national response remains muted, then nobody should assume they are safe.
Equal citizenship and inclusion means equal protection, not protection for some communities and quieter protection for others, especially those from migrant backgrounds.
The Government must act with the same urgency, visibility and determination that it has rightly shown in response to other forms of hatred.
History teaches us that hatred never stops with its first target.
Left unchecked, it grows.
Communities across Britain should recognise the danger before it is too late and take the following actions to get politicians to support those affected by racist, anti-migrant and Islamophobic hate.
- Write a letter to the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood MP to urge the UK government to take immediate actions to end the violent hate related attacks on minority and migrant communities in Northern Ireland and across the UK.
- We encourage members of all nationalities and backgrounds to contact their own embassy and consulate to ensure they are aware of the situation and concerns of safety and risk to life of their citizens.
- Reach out to support community members affected by these attacks and encourage reporting – directing them to report any racism, anti-migrant and Islamophobia related hate to the police and local authorities so it doesn’t go undocumented.
- Stay vigilant, follow local safety advise and reach out to check if family, friends, neighbours and communities are okay or need help.
- Share this QR code and link to a form where local businesses, residents and families affected can access essential support such as: Property Damage Clean Up: Help with shop repairs, window boarding, or local cleanups. Financial Aid & Fundraisers: Assistance setting up or distributing community crowdfunding pages. Family & Youth Support: Connecting anxious children, teenagers, and families to crisis support. Urgent Relief: Directing immediate resources to high-priority situations.
All information is handled securely and confidentially to connect you with the right relief teams. essential support for victims of hate related crimes in Northern Ireland.
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