Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ANTI-ISLAM LEAFLETS ‘STOKE FEAR & HATRED’
Sinn Fein MLA condemns ‘fascists’
POLICE were yesterday treating the circulation of an Islamaphobic leaflet as a hate crime.
They received a report that a group calling itself Generation Sparta was distributing the pamphlet in the Ravenhill area of South Belfast.
Sinn Fein’s Mairtin O Muilleoir said those responsible “intend only to stoke fear, hatred and division”.
The MLA added: “A leaflet is targeting our Muslim citizens for racial hatred.
“It also targets Sinn Fein for our commitment towards a diverse, inclusive and pluralist society.
“Those racist elements behind this anti-muslim and fascist propaganda intend only to stoke fear, hatred and division among of our shared city.
“Sinn Fein unequivocally condemns hatred of this kind. I have reached out to Muslim community leaders in South Belfast in an attempt to allay any concerns.
“I am calling on all communities and all political leaders in the targeted areas to publicly condemn this.
“We all have a responsibility to show solidarity and compassion with our
Muslim brothers and sisters.” Chief Inspector David Moore said: “We are treating this as a hate incident at present and we are making a number of inquiries.
“The PSNI continues to make it clear that hate crime, in any form, is unacceptable.
“Each of us has a responsibility to ensure that we live in a society where diversity is respected. We work with our PUPILS from six primaries are taking part in a film project that aims to make the move to “big school” easier.
Around 30 P7s students from Malvern, Holy Cross Girls, Inchmarlo, Knockbreda, Seaview and Strandtown are taking part in Cinemagic’s Making The Move project.
Industry professionals will help them make short films that express their feelings in a two-day workshop.
It is hoped the skills they gain will help alleviate any fears they might have.
Cinemagic’s Laura Mccurdy said: “We strongly believe the medium is a vital tool in personal and social development.
“Making The Move is a wonderful way of exploring students’ hopes, dreams and anxieties about moving into a post-primary environment.”
Brenda Shankey, a specialist in children’s mindfulness, will host workshops on coping with anxiety. partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors to provide reassurance, support to victims and promote tolerance and respect.”
Ulster Unionist councillor Chris Mcgimpsey condemned those behind the leaflet.
He said: “This behaviour is completely unwanted and does not reflect the people of the lower Ravenhill Road area.
“This is a community in which people live in harmony with their neighbours, and there is simply no excuse for anyone to come in and seek to create division or stoke up tension.
“This country has had more than enough of conflict and we are all working towards a shared future and a peaceful society.”