A worker in a Belfast shop that burned in violent scenes following an anti-immigration protest has called for action and change to prevent it happening again.
Bashir, who did not want to give his surname, said it is the third time the Sham supermarket in the Donegall Road area in the south of the city has been burned, and called for police to protect the business and for change to ensure it does not happen again.
The area saw the worst of the scenes of disorder on Saturday night.
Addressing a special meeting of Belfast City Council on Monday evening, Bashir said there is a £250,000 bill for the damage and losses.
He said while they can work to reopen the shop, they are wondering whether it will be attacked again.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Lord Mayor Micky Murray said they wanted to talk about financial help for businesses which were attacked.
Bashir opened his address to the council by describing the scenes as “against the Muslim community”.
As well as the attack on the shop, Bashir said he was also attacked personally by a group of six people. He told the council they threatened to stab him, and he feared he would be killed.
He said that he and the shop owner, a man who came to Northern Ireland in 2016 fleeing the war in Syria, had to stand for hours watching the building on fire before they could get inside.
“There is nothing, literally nothing left inside there, ashes only. That’s it. My real question is for the PSNI, where are you when we need you?” he said.
He said while people ask if they will reopen the shop, he queried: “Are we able to do that? Are we able to do that now, today, in this minute?
“We can rebuild it, that’s fine. But the question is, can we be safe? Can we live in peace? Can we go back to our work without feeling any fear?
“People can show us their sympathies. That’s good, but I want actions.
“The police should protect us … we live in fear, I live in fear, when I walk the street I am watching my back.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, and I wish, from all of my heart, (for) things to change, because it’s time to change.”
Mr Murray thanked Bashir for his address.
He condemned the attacks in Southport in which three children were killed as “appalling and unforgivable”, adding his thoughts are with the families and friends and the wider community, and sent “deepest condolences” from Belfast.
He said Saturday showed Belfast “in a not so incredible light” and said there is “real, deep concern about the safety” of all in the community.
He added: “I think this needs to be called like what it is, which is racist Islamophobia, and we need to put forward a united voice on calling this out, condemn the actions of a few who seek to control through fear and intimidation.
“As Lord Mayor, I’m convening a group of relevant officers, parties, businesses and community representatives to discuss support for businesses and measures to take to improve good relations in the city.”
