Statement on racist violence - 12th June 2026
Members of the Northern Ireland Interfaith Forum are greatly disturbed by the events of these past few days. Social media has been filled with images of horrendous acts of violence following the heinous attack on Stephen Ogilvie and the racist protests that followed. But social media has also been filled with many positive comments and constructive analysis. We have shared some of these posts on our Facebook group.
The Northern Ireland Interfaith Forum has grave concerns about the way in which events are unfolding. People from minority ethnic and migrant communities, often from diverse faith and belief backgrounds, are being targeted directly. Unfortunately, the Muslim community in particular is facing much of the hatred. The sanctity of life and the oneness of humanity is something that is shared across all faiths and beliefs. The targeting of whole communities for the actions of one is always to be condemned. We pray for peace to prevail and for everyone to believe and understand that we all live on the same earth and breathe the same air.
There are some positive signs
- The intervention of Stephen Ogilvie’s family in calling for no violence has had a very positive influence
- The violent racist activity has reduced
- The political rhetoric has come down a notch
But there remain huge problems
- Stephen Ogilvie remains in a serious condition with life-changing injuries
- Twenty police officers have been injured
- Some homes have been completely destroyed, and many families have been displaced
- There has been major damage to both public and private property, costing millions of pounds
- Northern Ireland’s reputation as a safe place to live and work has been damaged and will take years to rebuild.
Currently, there are many families in towns across Northern Ireland who are unable to leave their homes because of the fear of being attacked. This will remain the case for some time to come. We urge everyone to visit families that you think might be impacted by the violence and offer help – for example doing some shopping for them.
Writing in social media, Belfast resident, Michael Gibbs made the following observation:
“The way forward is… practical hope based on naming hatred clearly while refusing to hate, protecting people immediately while building relationships patiently, challenging misinformation while telling better stories, listening to fear without valuing the contribution of minority communities not as an act of charity, but as an act of truth, recognising that Belfast is already changed, already diverse, already interdependent and that our task is to make that reality safer, fairer and more visible.
We cannot allow some violent individuals, driven by fear, amplified by social media, and emboldened by racist rhetoric, to define our future.
The answer… has to come from each of us. From every neighbour who checks in. Every teacher who opens a conversation. Every youth worker who builds trust. Every employer who protects staff. Every parent who challenges prejudice at home. Every community leader who refuses to inflame fear. Every citizen who stands peacefully but firmly against intimidation.” https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18dakdnZmJ/
This statement has been issued by the Executive Committee of the Interfaith Forum. The Committee includes members from Bahá’í, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Humanist, Jewish, and Muslim faiths and beliefs.
Dinner in the Irish Department of Foreign Affiars
The Interfaith Forum was honoured to be invited to select nine people to attend a dinner with Mr Laurence Simms, the Joint Secretary of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.
Present at the dinner were: (l-r) Ashish Italiya, Edwin Graham, Dr Naomi Green, Dr Satyavir Singhal, Laurence Simms, Mohammed Arshed, Ed Petersen, Rabbi David Kale, Laura Fitzsimons, Emma Simms, Juanita Majury
The conversation covered topics such as education, peace and reconciliation, the climate crisis, and focussed on the importance of cross-border cooperation and the role of interfaith dialogue in building a more cohesive society.
Welcome to the NI Interfaith Forum
The Northern Ireland Interfaith Forum is a voluntary organization that promotes understanding and cooperation among different religious and ethnic groups in Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1993. It brings together people from all the main faith communities in Northern Ireland, including Baha’i, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, as well as people from the various Christian denominations.
Key objectives:
- Promote mutual understanding: Fosters dialogue and respect between people of different faiths.
- Educate the public: Raises awareness about the diversity of religious and ethnic communities in Northern Ireland.
- Facilitate cooperation: Encourages collaboration and partnerships between different groups.
Activities:
- Quarterly meetings: Open to the public and provide a platform for discussion and networking.
- Lunchtime gatherings: Monthly events for people from various faith communities to share reflections.
- Inter-faith dialogue: Organizes workshops and conferences to explore common ground and address differences.
The Northern Ireland Interfaith Forum plays a vital role in promoting peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion in Northern Ireland. It provides a space for people from different backgrounds to come together, learn from each other, and build stronger relationships.
Origin
The Northern Ireland Interfaith Forum (NIIF) was formed in May 1993, following extensive discussions with members of the ethnic and religious communities in Northern Ireland. It has continued over the decades as the principal interfaith organisation in Northern Ireland.
Aims
The essential aims of the Forum are to promote mutual understanding between different faith traditions and to educate people in Northern Ireland in awareness that we are not a country of two traditions only, but a vibrant community of many faiths whose people come from varied religious and ethnic backgrounds.
Membership
Membership currently stands at over a hundred drawn from many religious backgrounds: Jewish, Baha’i, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh, as well as Christians from different traditions. Forum members are not necessarily official delegates of their respective communities, but represent a balanced cross-section of people desirous of sharing and fostering mutual appreciation of each other’s beliefs and cultural diversity. New members from whatever background, who can accept the Forum’s aims, are most welcome.