Testimonies
Hassan's Story: "What are they protesting for? What did we do to them?"
Hassan is an asylum seeker from Yemen. Arriving in Belfast late December 2025, Hassan was housed with others in the Chimney Corner Hotel in Newtownabbey by the UK Home Office. Chimney Corner Hotel is the site of anti-immigrant protests throughout the last year. “We are here seeking peace. We want a better life, just like they want… to work, to study, to learn something new, to integrate with the community here”See the full video here. Names have been changed to protect the identity of the author.
Reem's Story: "We should not be feeling this way in this city"
Reem from Syria talks about her experience of being harassed by a street preacher in Belfast City Centre who confronted her about her faith. "I've felt very disappointed because I've felt a belonging to this city for 4 years and it is the first time I feel this feeling. .. "See the full video here. Names have been changed to protect the identity of the author.
Rasha's Story: "I feel as if my wings have been cut off"
I entered my house and locked the door, I began to break down and cry. I feel as if my wings have been cut off. I’ve lost my appetite, and my thoughts are lost somewhere between returning to death or staying in this hell. The days are heavy, as if hope has left my life forever. It is all night now, but I can't sleep; the sun is shining, but morning never comes. When I step outside again, my heartbeat increases, I tremble, but I try to hold myself together, smile, and pretend to be strong. I feel terrified to leave the house. Do you want to know why? ! Because of a behaviour or a word that came out of someone’s mouth, either forgetting or ignoring my humanity—that I am a “(bad word)” immigrant who came to take everything from them. That person says their words or behaves in an inhumane way and then leaves, but they do not realize the impact it has on my mental state, which can lead to suicide, depression, or at the very least, a loss of passion. Please think before you say anything. A word is a responsibility. Your words can either harm or bring hope. Choose wisely. Together against racism. Names have been changed to protect the identity of the author.
Ahmed’s Story: "My mother screamed"
One day, I was with my family, enjoying ourselves and telling jokes. To be honest, the best part was the food. Next, I heard a big, loud bang at the door; it sounded like an explosion. It shocked me out of pure fear. I was furious, wondering what would happen next. The door opened wide, and here came the battle. All I heard were tearful screams and people disrespecting us like we were nothing but dust; my fear was sucking away my happiness. My mother screamed, as if it were her last word, for me to go upstairs and hide. I ran as fast as I could. I went to the bedroom where my mother tells me mindful stories, and I locked the door. I felt like we were in an endless hell, surrounded by evil demons laughing at us. All my thoughts had gone nowhere. I felt like someone full of hate was drawing a cage around me in an endless, scary nightmare. I felt like my happiness had gone to a dark, scary hall—a place from which no one could return. They left the place like a deadly jungle, leaving the emotions that kept us safe forgotten; our hopeful thoughts couldn't handle it. There was no time to waste, as my time in this world was not yet expired. It was no time to cry; I had to be a strong man and show my true form, but my tearful thoughts had brought me down, leaving me feeling chained. When the evil people left with their lovely lives, never to be bullied themselves, I went downstairs and took a risk. I saw shattered glass, a destroyed TV, and broken chairs. They left the place like a deadly jungle, leaving the emotions that kept us safe forgotten; our hopeful thoughts couldn't handle it. Why were they doing this? The question stayed with me after they left. We called the police, but they did nothing, acting like mindless beings. The answer I found for why they did this was that they were full of hate, and their anger gave them the power to make different people feel ashamed. No matter how wrong it was, they thought they could get rid of us. But the only thing that made us even is that we are humans; we should be treated like we are family, knowing we can live with each other. No matter how we are different in shape and colour, we will always be a family; that is what makes us human. Names have been changed to protect the identity of the author.