On Thursday 14 January 2021, our community hub on Donegall Pass-South Belfast was deliberately set on fire and destroyed. What was destroyed in that fire was more than a building. This was a community space, an important place that connects the Muslim community, refugees and asylum seekers, a place for cooperative work with grassroot organisations, vulnerable members of our community, key workers and more. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the building was a lifeline for our service users and many in the community. It operated as a food bank and a place where some of the most impacted people by COVID-19 pandemic received vital support to help them get through these challenging times.

Sadly, the hate crime attacks on the BMCA building and intimidation of volunteers have a long history – longer than is sometimes convenient for honest acknowledgement. We have also witnessed persistently high numbers of racially motivated hate crimes, senseless acts of violence and intimidation of members of the Minority Ethnic community in Northern Ireland. In addition, the discriminatory policing of Black Lives Matter peaceful protests, the lack of protection afforded to victims of hate crimes, the unjust laws that fails to deliver justice for victims and the complacency of those entrusted to protect and serve is symptomatic of the root causes of racism. Undeniably, the attack on the BMCA building is an attack on all minority ethnic communities and the principles of building a shared and safe society.

Whilst we acknowledge the overwhelming support BMCA has received since Thursday’s attack - the words of encouragement, financial donations that have surpassed £66,000 and community offers to provide operational space  - we must also point out the government and institutions’ inadequate, insufficient and shallow actions to tackle racism, Islamophobia and hate crimes in Northern Ireland.  Law makers and public institutions have a duty to work with the Muslim community and Black and Minority Ethnic people to ensure they enjoy the human rights that they are entitled to at the same level as majority communities.

The specific issues that Muslim and Minority Ethnic people face in Northern Ireland are well documented, however they are not a key part of the public agenda and are treated as a secondary issue. The full implementation of the Racial Equality Strategy and the strengthening of the hate crime legislation in Northern Ireland in line with the recommendations made by Judge Marrinan should be a priority.

We ask that the Executive Office and the Department of Communities commit to fully support BMCA to re-build in a timely manner and as a matter of urgency. It is also imperative that leaders and community representatives speak out against racism, Islamophobia and hate crimes against members of BMCA in Donegal pass. They must also offer adequate protection for people of minority ethnic communities in the area and across Northern Ireland.


Statement Endorsed by:

Belfast Islamic Centre (BIC)
Northern Ireland Muslim Family Association (NIMFA)
North West Migrant Forum (NWMF)
United Against Racism Belfast (UAR Belfast)
HAPANI (Horn of Africa People's Aid NI)
iAssistNI
DYNI (Diverse Youth NI)
NICRE (Northern Ireland Council for Racial Equality)
Africa House NI
Nigerian Community Northern Ireland
Multi-Ethnic Sports And Cultures NI (MSCNI)
NISA(Northern Ireland Somali Association)
Family Comfort NI - FCNI
ACSONI ( African & Caribbean Support Organisation Northern Ireland )
NISA(Northern Ireland Somali Association)
Sudanese Community Association Northern Ireland ( SCANI )
Association of Darfur NI (ADNI)
Wah Hep Chinese Community Association
Newtownards Islamic Community Centre
Aman Association, Co. Fermanagh
Muslim Association of Craigavon (MAC)
Belfast Iqraa School
Dunmurry Islamic Centre
Inter Ethnic Forum
Hindu Council of Ireland
ICCI Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland
MCNTV (Minority Community Network Tv)
Ramadhan Foundation (UK)
Muslim Council of Wales
Sawa Women’s Space
CRAICNI
Heartship
Building Communities Resource Centre
Migrant Centre NI
Phoenix Law
Beyond Skin
Belfast City of Sanctuary (BCOS)
JCI Belfast | Belfast Junior Chamber
Foodstock - West Belfast Community Response
NICVA
Migrant and Minority Ethnic (MME) Council.
Unite Against Hate
Whitehead Small World
Northern Ireland Women's European Platform
Windsor women’s centre
Workers Party
Arts  A Wonder
Participation and the Practice of rights (PPR)
Victim Support NI
Housing4All NI
Mainstream - The pro Union Mainstream group on social media
Amnesty International
Unite the Union
Conway Education Centre
Irish Congress of Trade Unions - NI Committee
Here NI
Victim Support NI
TW Sports - TW Braga
Migrant Help
Alliance for Choice Belfast
TransgenderNI (TNI)
East Belfast GAA
Reclaim the Night Belfast
Falls Women's Centre
Voice of Migrant Women
NI Rural Women's Network
Reclaim the Agenda
Belfast Feminist Network
Raise Your Voice
Women's Policy Group Northern Ireland
Chinese Welfare Association NI
Northern Ireland Women's Support Network (WSN)
Alliance for Choice
Belfast and District Trades Union Council
Northern Ireland Women's Budget Group
The Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ)
Tools For Solidarity Downpatrick
Unite the Union
Flourish NI
NIBFA
Quaker Service
Tools For Solidarity
Footprints Womens Centre
Women's Resource and Development Agency (WRDA)
ArtsEkta
YMCA North Down - Ethnic Minorities Support
Lenadoon Womens Group
Waterside Women's Centre
Ardmore
Queen’s University Belfast Islamic Society (QUB ISoc)
Women's Aid Federation Northern Ireland
Strathfoyle Women's Activity Group Ltd
Communist Party of Ireland
Forward South Partnership
North Belfast Friendship Club
Tools For Solidarity
Muslim Council of Britain (MCB)
Foyle Women's Information Network
Stronger Together Network
The Jordanian society of QUB ( IZWITNA)  
Whiterock Childrens Centre
Terra Nova Productions
Rosario FC
South Belfast Youth Football League
Qadria Trust UK
Belfast Asian Women's Academy
East Belfast Independent Advice Centre
Law Centre NI
Women's Resource and Development Agency (WRDA)
SASS (Queen’s South Asian Students’ Society)
NICRAS (NI Community of Refugees and Asylum Seekers)
SASS (Queen’s South Asian Students’ Society)
Social Change Initiative (SCI)  
EMSONI - Ethnic Minority Sports Organisation Northern Ireland
Remembering Srebrenica NI
Array Studios Collective
Federation of Muslim Organisations (FMO)
Mornington Community Project
Queen's University Belfast Students' Union
Youth Initiatives NI
Crosslinks – YI
Holyland Residents Network
Anna Lindh Foundation (Cyprus).
Home for cooperation (Cyprus)
UIA - Cyprus
As-Salaam Trust  - The Peace Centre Leicester
Belfast South Community Resources
Vineyard Compassion
BOMOKO NI
The Rainbow Project
Belfast South Community Resources
West Belfast Foodbank
West Belfast Projects
Springboard
Blue Beat Coffee House
Another World Belfast CIC
Cohousing Connections
Cllr Martin McRandal



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