‘Almost got killed’: Belfast retailer recounts horror of riots

By: Michael Kenwood, Local Democracy Reporter

Belfast City Council has agreed to look into giving financial help to those businesses destroyed by racist violence in the far-right riots in South Belfast over the last weekend.

During a special emergency meeting of the full council at City Hall on Monday evening, elected representatives unanimously supported a motion condemning the violence over the weekend, as well as looking at transferring money from the council’s “Vacant to Vibrant” fund to support businesses that were attacked.

On Saturday there were tense scenes outside City Hall when an anti-immigration group and a much larger anti-racist counter rally converged. Numbers from the anti-immigration group broke away from the City Centre and moved into South Belfast, where individuals and businesses were attacked.

Police managed to stop far-right aggressors reaching the Belfast Islamic Centre on University Road but many were allowed to reach Botanic Avenue, Ormeau Road and the Village where there were violent scenes and racist chanting.

At City Hall on Monday evening councillors heard from the manager and owner of Sham Supermarket which was destroyed on Donegall Road on Saturday because it was a Muslim-run business.

The manager Bashir, who also represents and hosts refugees and asylum seekers into Belfast, told the chamber he was personally attacked by individuals on Saturday, and said he was nearly killed by people who wanted to “stab” him. He said masked men “came out of nowhere” just before midnight as he made his way to the burnt-out supermarket.

He said: “I almost got killed. For what? For nothing. For something I didn’t do. I don’t know what is happening with them. I ran away after I punched one of them in self defence.”

He added: “This is the third time our shop has been burned. The police come, they go, they take a statement and they throw it in the bin. That is what they do, if you allow me to say that.

“Nothing happens. People coming, destroying, I almost get killed, and nobody does anything. (They say:) “I’m sorry for what happened” – but I don’t want “sorry,” I want action. If I can’t count on you, who will help me?

“As a police officer, when you want to start your job, you swear you will protect every single human being in this country. That is your job, not my job. But nothing happens.”

Referring to the owner of the supermarket, Abdelkader, Bashir said: “He came from Syria, running away from the war, finding his peace with his family and children. And what is the result? He gets attacked, his business destroyed.

“He wanted to be a good civilian here- in Belfast. He didn’t choose to sit, he chose to work, he chose to be good with the community, with this society. To do something really good for them.

“He could have just sat and relaxed in his house, lying to the government that he couldn’t work, saying he had disabilities, like some people do, and getting the money from them. But no, he pays his tax to the country like a normal guy. We respect the rules.”

At the meeting the chamber without objection agreed to a motion which converged proposals from the Green Party and Sinn Féin.

Sinn Féin Councillor Ciaran Beattie proposed financial assistance to the businesses. This part of the motion states: “The Chief Executive (will) bring a report to the Strategic, Policy and Resources Committee as soon as possible to establish a programme of financial assistance for the business owners who were impacted by racist criminal attacks following an anti-immigration protest on Saturday August 3, 2024, with S,P and R to have delegated authority in respect of the decision of the establishment of a fund as set out.”

The Lord Mayor Micky Murray said at the meeting: “I have been meeting with business owners who had their businesses attacked and their staff traumatised, and with the Belfast Islamic Centre and the Belfast Muslim Family Association, who have a real deep concern about the safety of their community.

“This is a community who have built their lives here, who have raised their families and run businesses, who have contributed not just to our economy but to our way of life here, making Belfast a more diverse and welcoming place.

“Today I heard from a woman trying to make her way through the city, and who out of fear took her headscarf off so she wouldn’t be attacked. I think everyone would agree this is just appalling.

“I think this needs to be called out for what it is – racist Islamophobia. We have to speak in a united voice, calling this out and condemning the actions of a few who seek to control through fear and intimidation.

“As Lord Mayor I am convening a group of officers, parties, business and community representatives to discuss support for businesses and measures to improve good relations in the city.”

(Local Democracy Reporting Service)