By Lesley Walsh
A DESPERATE appeal has been made by Strangford’s most senior politician in a bid to quell fears within ethnic minority communities and stop vulnerable families from leaving Newtownards.
Strangford MP Jim Shannon has strongly condemned a petrol bomb attack on a local mosque and has held a series of meetings with local ethnic minority leaders in a bid to reassure them that they are a valued and valuable part of the community.
The Chronicle understands that up to four families have already left Newtownards and on Monday Mr Shannon met with the representatives of around 50 families who are concerned about the community tension that has risen due to the ongoing intimidation and racism.
The veteran DUP MP urged those he met, some of whom he has known for decades, not to give up on Newtownards. He told them simply: “This is your home.”
The founder and trustee of the mosque, Abdul Robb, said the building was lucky to escape damage after the petrol bomb failed to ignite. He said while the incident was deeply shocking, the community has been heartened by the messages of support they have received since the incident.
Mr Shannon had been planning to meet with the local ethnic minority families before the weekend attack on the mosque. Police have arrested two men in connection with the attack, who have both been released on bail pending further investigations.
During his meetings Mr Shannon assured the people whose place of worship was targeted in the weekend incident that they are ‘part of the fabric of our community’ and urged them not to lose faith in the town.
He insisted that the attack was not only against them, but the whole of the community – Christians, Hindus and Muslims alike.
Mr Shannon assured members of immigrant and ethnic minority families who attend the mosque, at Greenwell Street, that ‘this is your home’ and appealed to them not to abandon Newtownards because of the recent thuggery.
The mosque welcomes between 70 to 80 people every Friday, its holy day, with many hailing from Bangladesh, plus a range of other ethnicities.
Mr Shannon said those targeted were ‘people who fulfil valued roles in society, from healthcare workers to hospitality personnel’.
In a similar spirit of support, congregations across the town’s churches prayed on Sunday for the mosque-goers.
“I understood their fear but was at pains to remind them that their community in Ards and surrounding area were so annoyed at what has been taken place as this is not how they feel.”
Mr Shannon said congregations across the constituency were praying for them.
“This is the Newtownards that I know – these are the people who understand that government immigration policy has nothing to do with those who have been a part of our community for years – those who live and work and raise their families here.
“What has happened is not an offense against the Muslims in our
community – it is an offense and attack on us all,” stressed the MP.
Lesley Walsh
