A leading Muslim in Northern Ireland has said that racism in the province is a huge problem which is not being tackled properly by either the police or politicians.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster on Sunday, the president of the Belfast Islamic Centre, Jamal Iweide said he and his family have been intimidated out of their south Belfast home.

"People from ethnic minorities do not feel satisfied about the way our case is being treated by the police," he said.

"We do not have any kind of priority."

We think ethnic minorities should be getting forward on the agenda and they should address the issue

Jamal Iweide

A report earlier this year said harassment was experienced by all minority ethnic communities in Northern Ireland - with the highest number of incidents in south and north Belfast.

"We understand the police are under pressure about what is happening in north and east Belfast and we appreciate that very much," added Mr Iweide.

"But we think ethnic minorities should be getting forward on the agenda and they should address the issue."

The report was commissioned by the equality and social need division of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

It analysed more than 350 incidents reported to the police between 1996 and 1999 - a 400% increase.

They included attacks on property and people, as well as threats and graffiti.

Racist assaults on children soared from 8.5% of total attacks in 1996 to more than 16% in 1999.

The report authors said the rise in reported incidents was due to an increased number, a greater willingness of people to report incidents and a greater awareness by the police of the need to record racist incidents