The distribution of anti-Islamic leaflets to households in south Belfast is a deeply sinister and worrying development.
The racist leaflets, from a group calling itself Generation Sparta, were posted through letter boxes in the lower Ravenhill Road area which is home to people from a diverse range of ethnic backgrounds.
Police are treating this incident as a hate crime and local political representatives have been forthright in their condemnation of those behind it.
The widespread and unequivocal rejection of intolerance and racism is absolutely vital and sends out a message to the hate-mongers that their views are not shared and are definitely not wanted.
It is also important that residents from the Muslim community feel supported by politicians and the local community at this unsettling time.
These vile leaflets, containing phrases such as 'Defend Our Nation' and 'Resist Islamisation', are designed to intimidate people from minority groups who have every right to live and work in south Belfast or anywhere else in Northern Ireland.
They are also an attempt to raise tensions and could lead to attacks on people who already feel isolated and vulnerable.
It is disturbing that some individuals - and we can be sure that they are small in number - feel they are entitled to produce repugnant material and force it into people's homes, apparently in broad daylight.
It is essential that any information about the identity of those involved is passed to the police who need to take firm action against the perpetrators of this hate crime.
The fact that we are now a more diverse society is something that should be welcomed and embraced.
Violence or threats against people because of their skin colour, religion or country of origin are absolutely unacceptable and do not reflect the attitudes of the vast majority of citizens in Northern Ireland.
