In the wake of recent violence, property destruction, and Islamophobic abuse targeting Muslims across Belfast, Northern Ireland, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has taken swift action. MCB Secretary-General Zara Mohammed, along with Assistant Secretary-General Mariam Hassam, with Director of Forward Thinking, Oliver McTernan, facilitated several high-level meetings with local affiliates on the ground to address widespread concerns and the urgent need for protection.
In the same room where the Good Friday Agreement was signed, the Secretary-General chaired a cross-party meeting attended by Members of the Legislative Assembly, local affiliates, women’s groups, and those directly impacted by the horrific violence. The attendees expressed a shared sentiment: the violence must end, and long-term efforts are needed to protect minority communities.
The delegation met with the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill, who expressed her heartfelt solidarity against the attacks and Islamophobia, reaffirming her commitment to ending the violence.
Our community will stand strong and united against racism, hate, and Islamophobia.
Today, I met with the Muslim Council of Britain to discuss how we can work together to build an inclusive future.
I will continue to work with everyone in our community to make this a place where… pic.twitter.com/iTOYxoEDRO
— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) August 8, 2024
The group also participated in a special session at the Stormont Parliament, where the Executive was recalled from recess to pass a motion condemning all forms of Islamophobia, xenophobia, and racism. The motion was successfully passed.
The gallery was filled with those affected by the riots, including Muslim business owners, mosque leaders, and community members, who were acknowledged by Members of the Assembly.
MCB Secretary-General Zara Mohammed later attended a meeting with Deputy Chief Inspector Chris Todd and Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones. The meeting resulted in an agreement for a stronger police response, increased protection, and reassurance for the affected communities.
Our affiliates shared: “We have been building relationships with local politicians over the years but having a coordinated cross-party engagement made this more impactful. Having the Muslim Council of Britain alongside us to give the national insight made it even more powerful.”
Reflecting on the visit, Zara Mohammed stated: “I express my deep gratitude to the First Minister and Members of the Legislative Assembly for their strong statements of solidarity and support against the horrific violence and Islamophobia that Muslim communities have endured. This visit was crucial to ensuring that the voices and concerns of these communities, which have too often gone unheard, were recognized.”
She continued, “We visited Northern Ireland because we understood the importance of demonstrating our shared partnership and support during a time when communities are at risk and hurting. The somber moments spent with business owners who lost everything, and hearing the statement from the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association read in Parliament, served as a powerful reminder of the deep impact these events have had on everyday people.”
The trip underscored the need for increased engagement by political leaders and authorities with local communities. As one person shared, ‘If one of us is hurt, we are all hurt. We are not apart from this community but part of it’.
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