Ulster Unionist MLA for North Antrim, Robin Swann MLA, has condemned those who carried out a petrol bomb attack at the home of Margaret and Amin Ibrahim in Ballykeel, Ballymena.
Mr Swann said:
“I totally condemn this despicable and cowardly attack on law abiding people living in Ballykeel. It is an absolute disgrace and the work of cowards.
“The police have classified this incident as a hate crime, and certainly the victims have highlighted previous harassment based on Mr Ibrahim’s Muslim faith.
“Clearly there is a minority of people in society who are intolerant of difference, but that attitude is not representative of the wider population in the Ballymena area.
“This nasty incident does highlight that politicians must be very careful in the words they use, and, in the wake of the Paris atrocities, be careful not to label every Muslim as a potential terrorist. Ill-chosen and hasty statements made on social media can be used by some as an excuse to verbally and physically attack others. Loose words can make the bricks, stones and worse that others throw.”