The head of the Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland has called for peace and calm after widespread protests followed the alleged attempted murder of a man in Belfast.
Steven Ogilvy, a National Health Service (NHS) radiographer in his 40s, remains in hospital following the attack in the Kinnaird Avenue area of north Belfast on Monday night. According to court reports, Ogilvy lost his left eye, suffered damage to his right eye and sustained severe injuries to his neck and back.
The BBC identified the defendant as Hadi Alodid, 30. Alodid appeared by video link from Musgrave Police Station in Belfast on June 10, where prosecutors charged him with attempted murder, possession of an offensive weapon and threatening to kill an NHS worker. District Judge Steven Keown denied bail and remanded Alodid in custody until his next court appearance on July 8.
Meanwhile, protests, some of them violent and involving arson, have erupted in towns and cities across Northern Ireland.
“The attack a few nights ago was barbaric and horrific,” said David Smyth, head of the Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland. “Understandably many people felt anger and repulsion, and some people wanted to demonstrate this by protesting.”
Smyth said there are significant public policy challenges related to immigration and the integration of different cultures and religions within local communities, particularly in areas facing social and economic deprivation.
“There are also challenges around preventing violent crime, policing protests and political representation,” he said.
“But none of this provides any justification whatsoever for mobs of people burning their neighbours out of their homes because of their skin colour or religion.”
Smyth emphasized the importance of churches supporting communities during the unrest.
“We know that local churches are present in these communities and we encourage them as they listen to concerns, challenge behaviours and attitudes which are not Christ-like and provide pastoral care and support to those who have been displaced.”
