Ardalan Othman, whose shop was vandalised, expressed his fear, stating, 'If I was inside, they could have killed me. I haven't slept properly since.' He described the overwhelming terror that has followed the incident, saying, 'I check all the doors and windows before I sleep. I'm terrified they'll come back or follow me, and attack my home.' His lived experience reflects the anguish many ethnic minority business owners are currently facing amid the unrest.
The violent outbreak of unrest has left communities fractured, as seen when rioters misdirect anger towards innocent victims. Othman highlighted this dynamic, indicating how absurdly misinformed narratives can lead to such hostility. He phrased it poignantly, 'They just used a tragic incident to unleash their hate. People like me are not the enemy; we just wish to live in peace.' This underlines the urgent need to address disinformation in society.
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