Mixed-race family attacked as UDA group targets refugees

A UDA-linked group in north Antrim has called for refugees fleeing war zones to he “hunted” out of loyalist areas.

The development comes after the Protestant Coalition confirmed it intends to hold an “anti-refugee/terrorist” rally in Belfast city centre next month.

The north Antrim, Derry and Tyrone branch of the UPRG (‘Ulster Political Research Group’) took to Facebook at the weekend to launch a bitter attack on those fleeing war-torn areas in the Middle east.

“Any of these f**king refugees should be hunted from loyalist areas if they are put in,” it said.

It also singled out those who may provide homes for refugees.

“To the housing executive and private landlords. We will be watching. Time to get real folks.”

The UPRG also posted a quote from former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill which compared Muslims to rabid dogs.

“Winston Churchill said ‘Islam in a man is as dangerous as a rabbies (sic) dog.”’

“Tonight in Paris Islam showed again it’s true face. These rabid animals are among us now. Loyalists watch for your families.”

The group has also rejected a statement issued by mainstream UDA and UVF to “eschew all violence and criminality”

It said “shove your peace process” and “shove your cross community where the sun don’t shine.”

Some of the messages were later removed.

But a firebomb attack on a Ballymena family has been linked to the UDA hate campaign in the area.

The petrol bomb was thrown through the front window of a house in Kintyre Park in the Ballykeel estate and set the front room alight in the early hours of the morning

Margaret Ibrahim, her Muslim husband Amin Ibrahim and their two children were home at the time of the attack and managed to extinguish the fire. Mrs Ibrahim said her husband had gone downstairs when he heard a bang.

“I could hear my next-door neighbour knocking the door to tell us to get out that there was a fire in the house,” she said.

“My son was shouting to my daughter to get out. Neighbours took us in and looked after us.”

She believes the family was targeted because her husband is a Muslim.

“They all think that Muslims are the same but they’re not,” Mrs Ibrahim said.

“I just feel so angry that somebody would do that to innocent people.”

“I’m really afraid to live here any more with my family.”

Mr Ibrahim said it was not the first time they had been the target of anti-Islam harassment.

“It’s Islamophobia,” he said. “We get hassled all the time.”

Urgent Appeal