Our diversity makes us richer, and we need to tap into the warmth and empathy that our people possess in volumes. That empathy and compassion are sometimes hard to access because of poverty and the failure of our public services to meet their needs, but those are two separate conversations. We are here today talking about racist crime and Islamophobia. We will have another conversation about housing. Please do not conflate the issues. It is negligent and dangerous to do that. Our views on politics, history, economics and the constitutional question will vary, but I really hope that, today, one thing that we can agree on is that we are all united in our desire to make this place a better one where everyone, regardless of their religion or race, can feel safe, be happy and lead a good life.

I will finish by reading the words of Muhammad Atif, who is from the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association. He is in the Public Gallery, but he spoke to us on the stairs outside. It is right that we end with his words. He said:

"We must reflect on the message that we are sending to our children. What kind of society do we want them to inherit? Is it one where division and intolerance thrive or one that celebrates diversity and unity? We have witnessed failures from authorities and politicians in adequately protecting Muslim and immigrant communities, and now they have the opportunity to correct that. It is imperative that today, you send a resounding message of solidarity that we stand united against racism, Islamophobia and discrimination in all forms. We urge every citizen of Northern Ireland to embrace our diversity and recognise it as a strength. Together, let us build a future where everyone, regardless of their background, skin colour and religious beliefs, feels valued and safe. The time is now to affirm our commitment to inclusively, making Northern Ireland a welcoming home for all."

He asks:

"Will you promise me this? Will you promise this to yourself? Will you promise this to our next generations?"

Question put, That the amendment be made. The Assembly divided:

<SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;"> Ayes 28; Noes 43

AYES

Dr Aiken, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mr Crawford, Mr Elliott, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr T Buchanan, Mr Kingston

NOES

Dr Archibald, Ms Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Ms Ennis, Ms Ferguson, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mrs Long, Mr McAleer, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mr Mathison, Ms Mulholland, Ms Á Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Miss Reilly, Ms Sheerin, Ms Sugden

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Honeyford, Mr McMurray

Question accordingly negatived.

Main Question put and agreed to. Resolved:

That this Assembly condemns the criminal damage and targeting of businesses in recent days; rejects all forms of Islamophobia, xenophobia and racism; endorses the work of voluntary sector organisations combating racism and supporting those impacted by it; recognises the work of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and other public-sector bodies protecting our communities during the recent unrest; calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to finalise the draft refugee integration strategy and associated thematic delivery plan and present it to the Executive; and further calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to bring forward the renewed race relations order, and set out the process of replacing the racial equality strategy 2015-2025 by the end of 2024.

Adjourned at 1.51 pm.