Marta's Story: "there was fear in her eyes"

Shortly after news of the attack in North Belfast broke, I bumped into my Muslim neighbour. She is always friendly, but this time there was fear in her eyes. She didn’t know what reaction she would get from the people living around her, and that broke my heart.

She knew what was coming.

For the next two days, we were effectively on lockdown. The area felt eerie. I found myself scrolling through social media, checking lists of addresses and wondering: was our neighbourhood next? Were we on that list? And as I passed people in the street, I caught myself wondering who was involved in the riots and who wasn't. 

In all of this, I felt lonely and powerless.

I texted some friends, and they told me about the community response being organised. I rushed to help and to be with others. The truth is, I needed that community as much as anyone needed help.

That collective action restored my love for Belfast, the city I have called home for more than 18 years.

Together, we delivered food, groceries and infant formula. We offered lifts, shared meals, gave hugs, and shed tears together.

That is what makes a community: not a flag, not tribalism, but people caring for one another deeply, when it matters most.