'What we saw happen in our city is appalling'

The participants play music from Ireland, Sudan, Somalia, Ukraine and Iran

“What we saw happen in our city is appalling, and it does not represent the best of Belfast.”

Susan Curran joined about 30 people from 14 different nationalities to play Irish traditional music in Belfast on Tuesday.

One of the musicians was Sam Ali, a refugee from Sudan.

He plays the bodhrán in the group, but his drum was destroyed during the violence over the weekend.

“I think it’s wrong what happened and I don’t know who did that, but there is still a lot of good people," he said.

“My country was not safe, a lot of war, Northern Ireland is better, its safe here."

NI 'is my country'

Sam Ali plays the bodhrán with three other members

Sam had left it in a café owned by a friend which was set alight on Saturday night during violent protests.

Rioting broke out after an anti-immigration protest in the city.

To make sure he was still able to play at the event, Sam was bought a new bodhrán by it's organiser Catherine Crean.

“I lost family, country and everything, and I feel now Northern Ireland is my country and I don’t know where I would go," added Sam.

"I think I will stay here."

'They were threatened'

Catherine Crean said the project showed that communities could come together

The Tunes Translated Project helps people get to know each other through music.

The idea was sparked by Catherine Crean whose university research looked at how traditional Irish music can help with integration.

They play music from Ireland, Sudan, Somalia, Ukraine and Iran.

Catherine said some musicians in the group were too frightened to attend the performance on Tuesday.

“One participant had to leave Belfast all together because they were threatened,” she added.

She also said only half of the audience turned up because some participants' family members were too worried about coming together in large groups.

'Safe and positive'

Susan Curran said she felt the event was important

“A lot of them are afraid and are thinking if they need to move house or change their job," said Susan Curran.

“I thought this was important because it was inclusive, safe and positive.

"We were learning together and then I saw what happened over the weekend and I think it's even more important now."

'Just like us'

The group was also due to attend another event on Tuesday night, but Catherine said many participants pulled out.

“I did say we are going together. We are with you. You are safe, but at the same time, I can’t guarantee that,” Catherine said.

But despite the disorder over the last few days, Catherine believes events like this can show communities that everyone is welcome.

“I would like to think that this event is the antithesis of the horrible scenes we saw. They are real people just like us.” she said.