Residents Fear for Safety Following Belfast Disorder
Two Indian women residing in Belfast have expressed that they no longer feel safe living in the city after their home was extensively damaged and all their possessions destroyed during recent unrest.
Tejal Samat and Nishath Mohammed lived in a flat above the Sham Supermarket on Donegall Road in south Belfast. On 9 June, while they were inside the property, a group of individuals set fire to a bin outside their building.
"We were so scared, we didn't know what to do, we were in absolute shock,"Mohammed stated.
Context of the Unrest
The incident occurred amid rioting across Belfast following a knife attack. The disturbances forced residents to flee as houses and vehicles were set ablaze.
Impact on Residents
Speaking on the Nolan Show, both women recounted their affection for living and working in Belfast but admitted they are now fearful of going outside.
"I've been living in Belfast for the past six years, I came here as a student and I studied well, I got my job,"Mohammed explained.
"We were extremely happy here, Belfast is my home but after this incident we are even scared to just go to the shop next to our house."
Mohammed is employed as a finance associate, while her flatmate Samat works as a retail manager.
Personal Accounts of the Night
Samat described the night of the disorder as "very distressing" and one of the worst she has experienced.
"We were in shock, we just couldn't process what was happening.
"I don't feel like living in Belfast anymore because of all of this. I moved here for work, I had a fantastic year and then this happened, I just don't feel like I can stay here anymore,"she told the programme.
Evacuation and Temporary Shelter
After evacuation from their building, the women found refuge at the home of SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole and later spent the night at the Whiterock Leisure Centre.
Damage to Their Home and Belongings
Upon returning, Mohammed described the state of their home as "horrific".
"Our house, which we take care of like a temple almost, we love our home, we created our home with such love and we spent a great year – it's uninhabitable.
"Every single thing we have is affected by the smoke damage. Those are our memories, we have lost all of them,"she said.
Current Situation and Community Support
Mohammed stated that they are currently homeless but that O'Toole has arranged AirBnB accommodation for them for the next ten days.
"We have no idea what's going to happen next,"she said.
Both women acknowledged the support they have received from the community, including food and essential items.
"That shows the real people of Belfast to me, that's why we love Belfast, that's why we chose to stay here,"Mohammed said.
"People here are nice, this is just a minority,"Samat added.
